Hair cells responsible for high frequencies are located at which part of the cochlea?

The hair cells responsible for high frequencies are located at the base of the cochlea. This characteristic is part of the tonotopic organization of the cochlea, where different frequencies are processed in specific locations. High-frequency sounds create pressure waves that affect the base of the cochlea more than other areas, leading to stimulation of the hair cells situated there. As sound frequency decreases, the waves affect progressively more distal parts of the cochlea, reaching the apex for low frequencies. This organization allows for the effective processing of the wide range of sounds that humans encounter. Understanding this spatial arrangement is crucial for interpreting how hearing works and diagnosing potential hearing-related issues.