How does the human ear detect sound?

The human ear detects sound through a complex process involving three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. When sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel through the ear canal and make the eardrum vibrate. These vibrations are then amplified by the tiny bones in the middle ear before being transmitted to the cochlea in the inner ear. Within the cochlea, hair cells convert the vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain via the auditory nerve. This intricate mechanism allows us to perceive and interpret the various sounds in our environment.