What is the main function of the peripheral auditory system?

The main function of the peripheral auditory system is to conduct sound waves to the inner ear. This system includes the outer ear, middle ear, and the cochlea in the inner ear, which work together to capture and transmit sound. Sound waves are collected by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and then vibrate the eardrum in the middle ear. These vibrations are transferred through the ossicles (the tiny bones in the middle ear) to the cochlea, where they are converted into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for interpretation.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary role of the peripheral auditory system. For example, regulating brain function is primarily a role of the central nervous system, which processes the sounds received. While balance and auditory reflexes are related to the auditory system, they are specifically functions of the vestibular system and the neural pathways involved, rather than the peripheral auditory components responsible for sound conduction. Protecting the ears from infection is also not a function of the peripheral auditory system; this function is more closely related to the immune system and the natural defenses of the ear, such as earwax. Thus, the primary function of the peripheral auditory system clearly aligns with the conduction of sound waves.