Why can younger people hear higher pitches better than older people?

Younger people can hear higher pitches better than older people primarily due to age-related changes in the ear, particularly the loss of hair cells in the cochlea that are responsible for detecting high-frequency sounds. Additionally, prolonged exposure to loud noises over time can lead to hearing loss, especially in higher frequency ranges. As a result, older adults often experience a decline in their ability to hear these higher pitches, making them less perceptive to sounds that younger individuals can easily discern.