What is conductive hearing loss?

Conductive hearing loss specifically refers to problems that hinder the transmission of sound waves through the outer or middle ear. This type of hearing loss can occur due to various factors, such as fluid in the middle ear, ear infections, eardrum perforation, or blockages in the ear canal. Because these conditions affect the ability of sound to reach the inner ear, they create a barrier that diminishes hearing ability, resulting in a loss of sound clarity and volume for the individual.

In contrast, the other options describe different types of hearing loss or conditions that do not fit the definition of conductive hearing loss. Damaged hair cells in the cochlea relate to sensorineural hearing loss, which is linked to issues in the inner ear or auditory nerve and not to physical obstructions in the outer or middle ear. Neurological damage affecting sound perception falls under central auditory processing disorders, which also do not pertain to the mechanics of sound transmission. Lastly, temporary hearing loss due to environmental factors may be reversible but does not specifically define the structural or physical issues characteristic of conductive hearing loss.