Which type of hearing loss includes conditions arising due to age or noise exposure?

Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Conditions causing sensorineural hearing loss often include age-related changes, known as presbycusis, and damage from prolonged exposure to loud noises, which can destroy hair cells in the cochlea. This type of hearing loss involves the auditory nerve or auditory processing centers, leading to difficulties in sound discrimination and understanding speech.

In contrast, conductive hearing loss primarily involves problems in conducting sound through the outer or middle ear, such as blockages or structural issues. Age-related hearing loss specifically refers to the gradual loss of hearing that commonly occurs as people age, but it is a subset under the broader category of sensorineural hearing loss. Mixed hearing loss combines elements from both conductive and sensorineural types and is not specific to age or noise exposure alone. Therefore, sensorineural hearing loss is the most accurate choice in relation to conditions arising specifically due to age or noise exposure.