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Can aging sometimes lead to an increase in the stiffness at the base of the basilar membrane?

According to the World Health Organization, roughly one-third of people over 65 have disabling hearing loss. A key factor contributing to this widespread issue is that aging can sometimes lead to an increase in the stiffness at the base of the basilar membrane, a crucial structure within the inner ear's cochlea. This progressive stiffening can significantly affect hearing, particularly the perception of high-pitched sounds.