Aging can sometimes lead to an increase in the stiffness at the base of the basilar membrane. What effect would this have on a person's hearing?
A)The person would only be able to hear loud sounds.
B)The person would lose the ability to hear high-pitched sounds.
C)The person would lose the ability to hear low-pitched sounds.
D)The person would not be able to distinguish the amplitude of a sound.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An increase in stiffness at the base of the basilar membrane would lead to a shift in the place-frequency mapping on the membrane, causing a loss of sensitivity to high-pitched sounds.

Aging Can Sometimes Lead to an Increase in the Stiffness