The Place Theory of Hearing primarily explains which concept?

The Place Theory of Hearing is a significant concept in auditory perception, primarily asserting that different frequencies of sound are processed in specific locations along the cochlea. According to this theory, high-frequency sounds stimulate hair cells located near the base of the cochlea, while low-frequency sounds activate hair cells situated near the apex. This mapping of frequencies to specific areas of the cochlear structure allows the brain to interpret pitch based on which hair cells are activated.

The correct choice highlights this core idea of the Place Theory, illustrating how the cochlea's physical structure is crucial in differentiating between various sound frequencies. Understanding this principle is vital for hearing specialists, as it informs how hearing aids can be designed to optimize frequency response according to the user’s specific hearing needs.

In contrast, other options discuss different aspects of auditory processing but do not directly relate to the specific location-based processing as proposed by the Place Theory. Sound processing by the brain refers to overall auditory processing mechanisms, while binaural summation and binaural fusion pertain to how sound from both ears is integrated, which aligns more with spatial hearing than with the frequency mapping central to Place Theory.