The human ear is divided into three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear collects sound waves and directs them through the auditory canal to the eardrum. The middle ear contains three small bones (hammer, anvil, stirrup) that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear contains the cochlea, which converts sound vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, allowing humans to perceive sound.