Conductive hearing losses occur when sound waves are prevented from entering the inner ear due to difficulties in the outer ear canal or the middle ear. Individuals with conductive hearing loss will hear sounds perfectly if they are made loud enough to overcome the difficulty in the outer or middle ear. Medical or surgical intervention can improve a conductive hearing loss. Common causes of conductive losses are ear wax plugging the outer ear canal; fluid in the middle ear that inhibits the vibration of the ear drum (eustachian tube dysfunction); damage to the ear drum or middle ear bones caused by trauma, infection, or tumors; or abnormal bone growth that restricts the vibration of the middle ear bones (otosclerosis).

A person with a conductive hearing loss may notice that their ears may seem to be full or plugged. This person may speak softly because they hear their own voice quite loudly. Crunchy foods, such as celery or carrots, sound very loud and this person may have to stop chewing to hear what is being said. All conductive hearing losses should be evaluated by an audiologist and a physician to explore medical and surgical options.