The auditory system is the part of the body responsible for hearing. It includes the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, which work together to capture sound waves and convert them into signals that the brain can understand. The outer ear collects sound, the middle ear amplifies it, and the inner ear transforms it into electrical signals. These electrical signals travel through the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are processed and interpreted as sounds. The auditory system also helps with balance, as the inner ear contains structures that detect changes in position and movement, contributing to our overall sense of orientation.