Final answer:
The loss of inner hair cells within the organ of Corti would most likely result in a reduced ability to detect differences in sound intensity or even total hearing impairment, as these cells are vital for sound transduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mutation resulting in the loss of inner hair cells within the organ of Corti would be expected to result in a reduced ability to detect differences in sound intensity. The inner hair cells are the primary auditory receptors and are crucial for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. With the loss of these hair cells, the auditory system would not be able to effectively carry out this transduction process, leading to hearing impairment. However, it's important to note that a complete absence of inner hair cells could potentially lead to total impairment of hearing, as these cells play the critical role in the sensory reception of sound.
While the question lists other deficits, such as difficulty locating the source of a sound, difficulty in distinguishing different musical instruments, and changes in pain perception, these are not typically associated solely with the loss of inner hair cells. These abilities are affected by multiple auditory system components, including auditory pathways and cortical areas responsible for processing complex aspects of sound.