Which statement is true about sensorineural hearing loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory pathways to the brain, which can result from various factors such as aging, noise exposure, genetic predisposition, or certain medical conditions. The correct statement highlights that in cases of sensorineural hearing loss, bone conduction (BC) and air conduction (AC) thresholds tend to be relatively close to each other.

In a typical audiogram for sensorineural hearing loss, both BC and AC measures will show reduced thresholds—but the relationship between the two will remain similar, meaning that the gap between them will be minimal. This is in contrast to conductive hearing loss, where there is a significant difference between AC and BC due to problems in the outer or middle ear that impede sound transmission.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for audiologists and healthcare professionals as it helps in diagnosing the type of hearing loss and determining the appropriate interventions.