Sound

Sound travels into the outer ear

Sound reaches the tympanic membrane (ear drum) causing a vibration of the TM

Vibration passed to small bony structures (ossicles) which amplify the vibrations

Amplified vibrations move to the oval window which senses fluid vibrations to cochlea

Vibrations in the cochlea create waves in the cochlear fluid

Hair cells in the inner ear move (stereocilia)

The movement of hair cells generates electrical impulses

Electrical impulses interpreted by the auditory nerve

The brain processes the impulses as sound