What type of hearing loss is indicated by a flat conductive hearing loss with an elevated bone conduction threshold at 2000 Hz?

The indicated hearing loss is described as a flat conductive hearing loss combined with an elevated bone conduction threshold specifically at 2000 Hz. Otosclerosis is a condition that typically leads to conductive hearing loss caused by abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, affecting the ability for sound to be conducted properly.

In otosclerosis, the stapes bone may become fixed due to this abnormal growth, leading to impaired sound transmission and a resulting flat conductive hearing loss pattern. The elevated bone conduction threshold at a specific frequency, such as 2000 Hz, may suggest that bone conduction is functioning at a level that is not typical, indicating involvement of the conductive mechanism rather than an issue with the inner ear or auditory pathways.

Other types of hearing loss present different characteristics: mixed hearing loss would imply both conductive and sensorineural components, which is not indicated here. Sensorineural hearing loss generally displays decreased bone conduction thresholds across frequencies, and auditory processing disorder primarily involves difficulties in the brain's ability to process sound, which would not show clear conductive loss patterns on an audiogram. Therefore, otosclerosis is the most fitting diagnosis among the choices provided.