Sound-induced vibrations depolarize hair cells of the cochlea by opening ion channels that are gated
mechanically.The process where physical forces are converted into biochemical signals
is called mechanotransduction. The outer and inner hair cells in the cochlea detect
the vibrations created by the sound waves in the environment. The sensitive ion
channels are mechanically activated. It powers the amplification of sounds and
supports the relay of the converted electrical signals via auditory nerve to auditory
brainstem to auditory cortex.
