What type of hearing loss is caused by a blockage or problem with ear structures?

Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the structures of the ear that are responsible for transmitting sound to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors including blockages, such as earwax buildup, infections in the middle ear, fluid accumulation, or damage to the ear drum or ossicles (the tiny bones in the middle ear). Since the issue lies in the conduction pathway, sound waves are not efficiently transferred to the inner ear, leading to a reduction in sound volume or clarity.

In contrast, sensorineural hearing loss arises from damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve pathways and is often associated with aging or exposure to loud sounds. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, where there are issues in both the conductive and sensorineural pathways. Permanent hearing loss refers to any hearing loss that is long-lasting and may include sensorineural hearing loss but doesn't specifically relate to the blockage or structural problems that define conductive hearing loss. Therefore, the nature of conductive hearing loss directly addresses the problem of blockage or dysfunction in the ear's structures.