Basilar membrane of the organ of Corti

hair cells (auditory receptors) within the ear

Tectorial Membrane

Auditory nerve fibers in the organ of Corti

If the primary structure within the cochlea responsible for transducing mechanical sound vibrations into nerve impulses were to be completely non-functional, what would be the most direct and immediate consequence for an individual's auditory perception?

An individual is diagnosed with a form of hearing loss. Medical tests confirm that sound vibrations are correctly transmitted through the outer and middle ear structures. However, the inner ear fails to convert these mechanical vibrations into the electrical signals necessary for the brain to process sound. Based on this information, damage to which of the following structures is the most likely cause of this specific deficit?