the cochlea

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that converts sound waves into electrical signals your brain can interpret as hearing. When sound enters the ear, it causes vibrations in the eardrum and middle ear bones, which then move the fluid inside the cochlea. Inside, tiny hair cells detect these movements; different hair cells respond to different sound frequencies. As they move, they generate nerve signals sent via the auditory nerve to the brain, allowing you to perceive and interpret sounds. The cochlea plays a crucial role in our ability to hear across a wide range of sounds.