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

Otosclerosis is a common cause of conductive hearing loss because it involves the abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear, specifically affecting the stapes bone. This condition can lead to a fixation of the stapes, preventing it from vibrating effectively in response to sound waves. Since conductive hearing loss is characterized by a failure to transmit sound efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the bones of the middle ear, otosclerosis fits this definition well.

In contrast, the other options listed are primarily associated with sensorineural hearing loss rather than conductive hearing loss. Presbycusis refers to age-related hearing loss, often affecting the inner ear and auditory nerve. Noise exposure typically results in damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, leading to sensorineural loss as well. Acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve, also results in sensorineural hearing loss due to its impact on auditory signal transmission rather than on the conductive pathways. Thus, otosclerosis stands out as the correct answer, directly linking to the mechanisms involved in conductive hearing loss.