Cochlear physiology is the academic field dedicated to investigating the functional mechanisms of the cochlea, the auditory portion of the inner ear. It focuses on the processes by which mechanical sound energy is transduced into electrical signals transmitted to the brain. This research area encompasses the biophysical properties of cochlear structures, the cellular and molecular events within sensory hair cells, and the generation of auditory nerve responses, providing fundamental insights into normal hearing function and the pathophysiology of hearing loss.