Sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side Save
ICD-10 code: H90.4
Chapter: Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Brief Overview
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a type of hearing impairment that occurs due to damage or dysfunction of the inner ear or the auditory nerve. SNHL can be unilateral, affecting only one ear, or bilateral, affecting both ears. This article will focus on unilateral SNHL with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side.Symptoms of unilateral SNHL may include difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, difficulty localizing sound, and tinnitus (ringing in the affected ear). Unilateral SNHL can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, infections, head trauma, and exposure to loud noise.
Unlike bilateral SNHL, where both ears are affected, unilateral SNHL can be more difficult to diagnose. People often do not recognize that they have hearing loss in one ear, as the unaffected ear compensates for the loss. Therefore, it is important to get regular hearing tests to identify any hearing loss early on.
If you are diagnosed with unilateral SNHL, your audiologist may recommend treatment options such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or bone-anchored hearing aids. These devices can help improve your hearing and reduce the impact of the hearing loss on your daily life.
Hearing Aids:
Hearing aids are small electronic devices that amplify sound and improve your ability to hear. They come in a variety of styles and can be customized to fit your specific hearing needs.Cochlear Implants:
Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that bypass the damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. They are typically recommended for people with severe to profound hearing loss.Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids:
Bone-anchored hearing aids are surgically implanted devices that use bone conduction to transmit sound to the inner ear. They are typically recommended for people with conductive or mixed hearing loss.
In conclusion, unilateral SNHL with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side can be difficult to diagnose, but it is important to get regular hearing tests to identify any hearing loss early on. Treatment options such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and bone-anchored hearing aids can help improve your hearing and reduce the impact of the hearing loss on your daily life.