Sound waves hitting the tympanic membrane initiate its vibratory motion. trace the pathway through which vibrations and fluid currents are transmitted to finally stimulate the hair cells in the spiral organ

The vibrations are then sent to three tiny bones in the middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These bones then amplify the sound vibrations and send them to the cochlea, a snail-shaped structure in the inner ear. The vibrations then cause the fluid inside the cochlea to ripple along the basilar membrane. This ripple stimulates the hair cells that sit on top of the basilar membrane.