American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam 2025 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem conducting sound waves through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones in the middle ear. Among the options provided, infection of the outer ear canal is a typical cause due to its direct impact on the transmission of sound.

An infection in the outer ear canal, known as otitis externa, can lead to swelling, pain, and discharge, complicating sound conduction. This condition creates a barrier and can block the passage of sound waves, effectively leading to a reduction in hearing capability. In this way, the infection interferes not just with hearing but can also be associated with ocular conditions where infections may potentially spread or coexist.

The other options are less relevant to conductive hearing loss. An infection inside the eye does not typically affect hearing, as the pathways for vision and hearing are distinct. Neurological disorders generally relate to sensorineural hearing loss, which is different from conductive hearing loss that is tied specifically to physical blockages or malfunctions in the ear structures. Retinal detachment pertains to conditions affecting vision and has no direct relationship with hearing mechanisms. Therefore, infection of the outer ear canal is the clear link to conductive hearing loss in the context of ocular conditions.