1. The steps of hearing

2.  The auricle directs sounds into the external auditory meatus  This guides the sound towards the ear drum

3.  The eardrum vibrates in response to the sound  Quiet sounds produce few vibrations which makes the sound quiet  Loud sounds produce more vibrations which makes the sound appear louder and stronger

5.  Malleus picks up the vibration and passes it along to the incus and then to the stapes  Stapes pushes on the oval window which vibrates  Oval window intensifies the sound further (due to increased vibrations) which ensures that the waves do not lose any intensity as they travel to the cochlea

7.  In response to the vibrations by the oval window, the perilymph in the cochlea begins to move  Speed of movement is related to the rate of vibrations

8.  These waves will move the round window  The waves will also begin to create a rise in pressure in the cochlea

9.  Endolymph will move in response to the waves  This causes the basilar membrane to vibrate  Vibration of this membrane will lead to movement of the hairs in the organ of Corti

11.  Hairs in the Organ of Corti bend  The bending initiates action potentials in all attahched neurons  These action potentials will ultimately lead to the perception of sound

12.  All impulses travel along the cochlear nerve to the brain for processing  Any damage to this nerve leads to deafness  Implants can be used to restore hearing in individuals who experience this type of deafness