What factor does NOT contribute to sensory/neural hearing loss?

The outer ear includes the pinna and the ear canal, which primarily serve as pathways for sound to reach the middle and inner ear structures. Damage to the outer ear typically affects sound collection and transmission but does not directly influence the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which are responsible for sensory and neural processes of hearing. Sensory/neural hearing loss occurs primarily due to issues originating in the inner ear, such as damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, or along the auditory pathway, including the auditory nerve.

In contrast, factors such as damage to the auditory nerve, aging, and noise exposure all have detrimental effects on the inner ear structures and the auditory processing system, leading to sensory/neural hearing loss. Aging can cause a gradual deterioration of the hair cells and other critical components in the cochlea, while exposure to loud noises can cause immediate damage to those same structures. Thus, the underlying reason that damage to the outer ear does not contribute to sensory/neural hearing loss lies in its functionality and its separation from the more critical roles that the inner ear and auditory nerve play in hearing.