Hearing

The human ear converts sound waves into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.

The outer ear collects sound and directs it into the **ear canal. The sound reaches the eardrum**, causing it to vibrate.

Three small bones called the **ossicles* transmit and amplify the vibration. They are: malleus; * incus; * stapes.

The stapes transfers vibrations into the fluid-filled **cochlea**. Inside the cochlea, sensory hair cells respond to vibration. These cells convert mechanical vibration into electrical nerve signals.

The auditory nerve carries signals to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.

Very intense sound can damage sensory hair cells. Repeated exposure to loud sound may therefore cause permanent hearing loss.