Figure 3.8 | The Path of Sound Through the Ear | Sound is conducted through the ear by way of air pressure changes. After entering through the pinna, the sound waves create vibrations in the eardrum that lead to movement of the three tiny bones in the middle ear. This movement leads to vibration of the oval window that leads to movement of the fluid in the inner ear, displacement along the basilar membrane, and movement of the hair cells within the membrane. The movement of these hair cells creates the neural signals that are taken to the primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobes by the auditory nerve via the thalamus.