Final answer:
The process of gathering sound waves and transmitting them to the brain for analysis is known as auditory processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passive physiological process of gathering sound waves and transmitting them to the brain for analysis is known as auditory processing. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the ear canal to vibrate. This vibration is then converted into neural impulses by hair cells in the cochlea, which are ultimately transmitted to the brain for interpretation.