A method for treating sensorineural hearing loss caused by different factors, such as hyperbilirubinemia, birth injuries, viral and bacterial infections, ototoxic medications, Usher's syndrome, craniocerebral trauma with a fracture of the base of the scull and the pyramid of the temporal bone, and neurinomas. The method includes administering donepezil hydrochloride (ARICEPT®) in a dosage of 2.5 to 5 mg for an adult, one to two times a day, for 3 to 15 courses of treatment of 20-25 days each. For a child, the dosage is reduced to a range of 0.625 to 1.25 mg.