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.