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Sensorineural hearing loss occurs primarily when there is damage to the cochlea's receptor cells, specifically the hair cells responsible for converting sound waves into neural signals. This type of hearing loss can result from a variety of factors, including aging, exposure to loud noise, infections, ototoxic medications, or genetic predispositions. Since the cochlea houses these crucial receptor cells, any impairment in their function directly impacts the ability of the auditory system to transmit sound information to the brain, leading to hearing difficulties.

In contrast, conductive hearing loss is typically caused by issues in the outer or middle ear that obstruct the conduction of sound waves, such as fluid accumulation or earwax blockage. Mixed hearing loss combines both conductive and sensorineural components, indicating that there is more than one issue affecting hearing. Functional hearing loss refers to difficulties in hearing that have no identifiable organic cause and may be related to psychological factors or perceived hearing difficulties rather than physical damage to the hearing structures. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why sensorineural hearing loss is specifically linked to damage to the cochlea's receptors.