What type of deafness occurs when vibrations cannot be transmitted to the inner ear?

Conductive deafness occurs when there is a failure in the transmission of sound vibrations through the outer ear and middle ear to the inner ear. This type of deafness can result from various factors, such as blockages (like earwax), fluid in the middle ear, perforated eardrums, or issues with the bones of the middle ear (ossicles). Because these sound waves do not effectively reach the inner ear, the person experiences a reduction in hearing that is typically treatable through medical or surgical interventions.

In contrast, nerve deafness, also known as sensorineural deafness, involves damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which affects sound perception at a neurological level. Mixed deafness involves a combination of conductive and nerve deafness, indicating problems in both the transmission and perception of sound. Central deafness, on the other hand, refers to hearing issues that stem from problems in the brain, which affects how sound is processed after it has been transmitted. Thus, the defining characteristic of conductive deafness is its specific nature concerning the physical transmission of sound, making this the correct answer to the question.