Primary Parts

• Cochlea
• Semi Circular Canals
• Auditory Nerve

The cochlea is a snail-shaped system of tubes in the temporal bone of the skull. Inside these tubes is a fluid called perilymph. This fluid moves in response to the vibration of the stapes within the oval window. As the fluid begins to move, tiny hair cells begin to vibrate. In turn, these hairs transform the vibrations into electrical impulses that travel along the auditory nerve to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss involves damage or malformation of these hair cells.

The semi-circular canals are also filled with fluid and act as the balance equivalent to the cochlea.   Some children are born with a condition called Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct which is associated with sensorineural hearing loss and balance difficulties.