Final answer:
If the inner ear lacked nerve fibers, a person would experience hearing loss because the nerve fibers are responsible for transmitting sound signals from the cochlea to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the inner ear lacked nerve fibers, a person would experience hearing loss because the nerve fibers are responsible for transmitting sound signals from the cochlea to the brain. Without these nerve fibers, the brain would not receive the necessary information to interpret sound, resulting in a lack of auditory perception. This condition is known as sensorineural hearing loss and cannot be treated with hearing aids, but some individuals could be candidates for cochlear implants, which directly stimulate the auditory nerve to transmit information to the brain.