Final answer:
Sarah's hearing loss for high-pitched sounds is best explained by the place theory of pitch perception, indicating damage to the base of the basilar membrane where high frequencies are detected.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that best explains Sarah's hearing loss is the place theory of pitch perception. According to this theory, different areas of the basilar membrane inside the ear are responsible for detecting different frequencies of sound. The membrane's base is particularly sensitive to high frequencies. Sarah's inability to hear high-pitched sounds as before suggests damage to the base of the basilar membrane, where these high frequencies are normally detected.Hearing loss can be sensorineural, and damage to the hair cells, which are situated on the basilar membrane and resonate in response to specific frequencies, is a common cause. With larger damage in the high-pitch receptor region, Sarah's hearing loss would be more pronounced for high-pitched sounds. Tests such as those performed by bone conduction can help to determine if the hearing loss is due to nerve damage or issues in the middle ear.
The theory that best explains Sarah's hearing loss is the Place Theory of pitch perception. According to this theory, different portions of the basilar membrane in the ear are sensitive to sounds of different frequencies. The damaged part of Sarah's basilar membrane is likely the portion that responds best to high frequencies, resulting in her difficulty in hearing high pitched sounds.