The inner ear contains the cochlea, which has two fluid-filled ducts separated by the cochlear partition. Within the cochlear partition is the organ of Corti, which contains hair cells that detect sound vibrations. Low frequency sounds cause maximum vibration at the apex of the basilar membrane, while high frequencies cause vibration at the base. The hair cells transduce these vibrations into neural signals that travel to the brainstem and auditory cortex, where pitch and other sound properties are processed. Damage to hair cells or auditory nerves can cause hearing loss.