What occurs when the ability of the cochlea to convert frequencies to electrical signals is lost?

When the ability of the cochlea to convert frequencies to electrical signals is lost, a permanent threshold shift occurs. This means that the sensitivity of hearing for certain frequencies is reduced to a point where the cochlea is unable to accurately convert sound waves into electrical impulses for the auditory nerve to interpret. This is often the result of damage to the hair cells within the cochlea, which play a crucial role in this conversion process.

A permanent threshold shift indicates that the hearing loss may not recover, and the affected individual may experience a permanent reduction in their auditory capability. This condition can result from various factors, including prolonged exposure to loud noises, aging, or ototoxic medications, which can irreversibly affect the sensory structures of the inner ear.

In contrast, a temporary threshold shift refers to a short-lived impairment of hearing that often recovers after a certain period of time. Conductive loss typically involves problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from being conducted to the inner ear but does not imply a breakdown of the cochlear function itself. Mild loss would suggest a minimal degree of hearing impairment, which again does not align with the significant loss of cochlear function indicated in the question.