Which of the following best describes hair cells?

Hair cells are specialized sensory receptors found in the inner ear, particularly in the cochlea. Their primary function is to convert mechanical vibrations, such as sound waves, into electrical signals that can be processed by the brain. When sound vibrations enter the cochlea, they cause the fluid inside to move, which in turn makes the tiny hair-like projections on the hair cells sway. This movement opens ion channels, leading to the generation of electrical impulses that travel along the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. This unique ability to transduce vocal vibrations into neural signals is why hair cells are integral to hearing. Other options describe different types of cells or functions that do not relate to the role of hair cells in the auditory system.