conductive hearing loss /kənduk″tiv/ [L, conducere, to lead] , a form of hearing loss in which sound is inadequately conducted through the external or middle ear to the sensorineural apparatus of the inner ear. Sensitivity to sound is diminished, but clarity (interpretation of the sound) is not changed as long as the sound is sufficiently loud. Also called conduction deafness. Compare sensorineural hearing loss.
