The cochlea is a part of the inner ear which converts sound vibrations into __________________.

The cochlea is a part of the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain's interpretation. Sound waves enter the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate in the middle ear. These vibrations are transmitted through the ossicles to the oval window, creating fluid waves in the cochlea. 

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure consisting of three chambers. Within the cochlea, thousands of tiny hair cells along the cochlear duct's inner lining bend in response to the fluid waves. This bending stimulates the release of neurotransmitters, generating electrical signals that are transmitted through the auditory nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these signals as sound, allowing us to perceive and understand auditory stimuli.