Which type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea?

Conduction hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the mechanical system that transmits sound waves from the outer ear to the cochlea in the inner ear. This type of hearing loss can be attributed to issues such as blockages (like earwax buildup), middle ear infections (otitis media), or physical damage to parts of the ear, such as the eardrum or the ossicles (tiny bones in the middle ear). Because these conditions interfere with the ability of sound waves to be conducted effectively, it results in reduced sound intensity and clarity.

In contrast, sensorineural hearing loss relates to damage to the inner ear or the auditory pathways in the brain and typically involves the hair cells in the cochlea or the auditory nerve itself. Auditory neuropathy refers specifically to issues with the transmission of signals along the auditory nerve, while mixed hearing loss combines elements of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why conduction hearing loss is directly linked to mechanical issues in the auditory system.