The outer ear collects sound waves and directs them to the eardrum, which begins to vibrate. These vibrations set the hammer, anvil, and stirrup in motion, causing the fluid in the cochlea to move. Tiny hair cells within this fluid send signals to the auditory nerve, which transmits them to the brain to be converted into sound. The labyrinth, which contains the vestibular system, can cause dizziness when severe hearing damage occurs.
