Final answer:
The correct statement regarding aging is that the ability to detect high-pitched sounds diminishes. This occurs due to non-regenerative damage to cochlear hair cells responsible for encoding high frequencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
As we age, the ability to detect high-pitched sounds diminishes. This is due to changes in the cochlea of the ear, particularly in the hair cells at the base of the cochlea, which are responsible for encoding these high frequencies. Over time, exposure to loud sounds can damage these hair cells, and unlike other types of cells, they do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss. This is why older individuals commonly experience difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds. As for vision, the lens of the eye actually becomes less elastic with age, which contributes to conditions such as presbyopia, commonly correcting with reading glasses. These changes in sensory perception are a natural part of the aging process.