Final answer:
High-frequency sounds reach their maximum near the base of the cochlea where specialized hair cells on the basilar membrane respond specifically to higher pitch frequencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the mechanics of how the inner ear, specifically the cochlea, processes sound frequencies. In the cochlea, high-frequency sounds reach their maximum near the base of the cochlea. This region of the cochlea has hair cells located on the basilar membrane, which are specifically activated by these higher pitch frequencies.
The place theory of pitch perception indicates that hair cells at the base of the basilar membrane are considered high-pitch receptors, responding optimally to sound frequencies in the higher range of up to 20 kHz.