What anatomical structure does the audiologist assess during a hearing test?

The cochlea is a vital structure in the auditory system and is crucial in the assessment of hearing. During a hearing test, particularly in the context of audiological evaluations, the function of the cochlea is assessed as it plays a key role in converting sound vibrations into neural signals that the brain interprets as sound. The cochlea's intricate structure allows it to process various frequencies, making it an essential focus of evaluation when determining an individual's hearing capabilities.

While the semicircular canals, tympanic membrane, and auditory cortex are all related to hearing or balance, they serve different functions. The semicircular canals are involved in balance rather than hearing, the tympanic membrane (or eardrum) plays a role in transmitting sound vibrations to the inner ear but is not the primary focus of auditory assessments, and the auditory cortex, located in the brain, processes auditory information but is not directly evaluated in a hearing test targeting the physical structures involved in sound perception.