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A common cause of conductive hearing loss is mechanical dysfunction that interferes with the transmission of sound waves through the outer and middle ear. This type of hearing loss occurs when there is a physical obstruction or damage that prevents sound from being conducted efficiently to the inner ear. Examples of this dysfunction can include earwax buildup, fluid in the middle ear (often from an infection), perforation of the eardrum, or malformation of ear structures such as the ossicles. These issues do not affect the inner ear or the auditory pathways in the brain; instead, they prevent sound from reaching the inner ear effectively.

Other options refer to different mechanisms of hearing loss. For instance, damage to the auditory nerves pertains more to sensorineural hearing loss, which involves the inner ear or the pathways to the brain. Prolonged exposure to loud music is also associated with sensorineural hearing loss due to damage to hair cells in the cochlea from loud noises. An infection in the cochlea can lead to complications affecting hearing but is a less common cause of conductive hearing loss specifically, as it does not directly relate to the mechanics of sound transmission through the outer and middle ear.