Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a failure in the conduction of sound waves through the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear. Something is blocking the transmission of sound to the nerve of hearing. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including: wax impaction, ear canal infection-fungus or object in the canal, ruptured ear drum, fluid behind the eardrum or middle ear infection. Conductive hearing loss usually involves a reduction in sound level, or the ability to hear faint sounds. This type of hearing loss can often be medically or surgically corrected.