What part of the ear is responsible for converting sound waves into mechanical vibrations?

The middle ear is responsible for converting sound waves into mechanical vibrations. This part of the ear contains three tiny bones known as the ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes. When sound waves enter the ear, they first reach the eardrum (tympanic membrane), causing it to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the ossicles, which amplify and convey the sound to the inner ear.

The outer ear, which includes the auricle and the ear canal, primarily serves to collect sound waves and funnel them toward the eardrum. While the inner ear plays a critical role in hearing and balance, it is primarily involved with converting mechanical vibrations into neural signals that the brain can interpret. The auditory nerve transmits these signals from the inner ear to the brain, but it does not play a part in converting sound waves to mechanical vibrations itself. Hence, the middle ear is key in the mechanical conversion process.