Which of the following is a common cause of conductive hearing loss?

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are not efficiently conducted through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones of the middle ear. A middle ear infection, also known as otitis media, is a prevalent cause of conductive hearing loss. In this condition, fluid accumulates in the middle ear, leading to inflammation and potentially blocking sound transmission. This disruption can result in a temporary decrease in hearing.

The other factors listed, such as damage to the auditory cortex, relate to sensorineural hearing loss, which involves issues in the inner ear or auditory pathways to the brain. Genetic factors can influence hearing loss but are often associated with sensorineural conditions rather than conductive losses specifically. Tumors in the inner ear typically also affect sensorineural function, presenting differently than conductive hearing loss.