**Core Concept**
The rupture of the tympanic membrane disrupts the transmission of sound vibrations from the outer ear to the inner ear, leading to hearing loss due to the inability of sound waves to be transmitted through the middle ear.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer involves the understanding of the middle ear's role in sound conduction. The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations to the ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes). When the tympanic membrane ruptures, it disrupts the normal conduction of sound through the middle ear, resulting in conductive hearing loss. This is because the sound waves cannot be efficiently transmitted to the inner ear, where they would normally be converted into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because conductive hearing loss is not a result of damage to the inner ear structures, such as the cochlea or semicircular canals.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because sensorineural hearing loss is typically caused by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, not by a rupture of the tympanic membrane.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, not a direct result of a tympanic membrane rupture.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to note that the type of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed) can be determined by the results of a tympanogram, which measures the movement of the tympanic membrane in response to changes in air pressure.

**Correct Answer: C. Conductive hearing loss.