Hearing loss can affect everyone from babies to people in their 60s and 70s. Many things may cause hearing loss, but exposure to loud noise is the most common reason people have the condition. Keep reading to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each type of hearing loss, as well as how a doctor could diagnose the specific type you may have. Sensorineural (sen-suh-ree-NUR-uhl) hearing loss, also known as SNHL, occurs because of damage to your inner ear. It can happen suddenly due to an illness, injury or exposure to loud noise, like an explosion. Hard of hearing refers to people with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe. People who are hard of hearing usually communicate through spoken language and can benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices as well as captioning. There are three main types of hearing loss: conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. [21] An additional problem which is increasingly recognised is auditory processing disorder, which is not a hearing loss as such but a difficulty perceiving sound. Age- and noise-related hearing loss are common and can affect quality of life. But many treatments are available. Hearing loss arises from diverse causes, reflecting the complexity of the auditory system. These causes can be broadly categorized into three types: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. Aging and being around loud noises both can cause hearing loss. Other factors, such as too much earwax, can lower how well ears work for a time. You usually can't get hearing back. But there are ways to improve what you hear. Find out about the common signs and causes of hearing loss, when to get medical help and how hearing loss is treated. Learn how to spot the early signs of hearing loss, what causes it, and when to see an audiologist for support and treatment.