Function of the Cochlea in Auditory Perception

The auditory system is a complex network that processes sound, enabling us to interpret various auditory stimuli in our environment. One key aspect that allows us to differentiate between sounds is our ability to perceive differences in frequency and amplitude. These two elements significantly affect how we interpret and localize sounds. For example, the perception of pitch is primarily influenced by the frequency of sound waves. Meanwhile, the loudness of these sounds is determined by their amplitude.

Which part of the auditory system is primarily responsible for converting sound waves into neural signals that can be interpreted by the brain?