Which condition results in gradual but progressive sensorineural hearing loss?

The correct answer is associated with a condition that distinctly leads to a gradual and progressive type of hearing loss. Meniere's disease is characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss. Over time, this hearing loss tends to become more pronounced, which distinguishes it as a progressive condition.

In contrast, otitis media generally causes conductive hearing loss and may be temporary, often related to fluid accumulation in the middle ear. Acoustic neuroma, while it does cause sensorineural hearing loss, is typically characterized by a more abrupt onset rather than a gradual progression. Conductive hearing loss usually results from problems in the outer or middle ear and does not fit the definition of sensorineural loss, which pertains to issues in the inner ear or auditory nerve. Thus, Meniere's disease clearly aligns with the description of gradual and progressive sensorineural hearing loss due to the nature of its pathophysiology.