Differential Vulnerability of Inner and Outer Hair Cell Systems to Chronic Mild Hypoxia and Glutamate Ototoxicity: Insights into the Cause of Auditory Neuropathy

Abstract

These studies demonstrate a difference in vulnerability of inner and outer hair cell systems. The inner hair cell/cochlear afferent system is vulnerable to long-term, mild hypoxia; this may be an etiologic factor in hearing loss of cochlear origin, particularly in high-risk birth infants with auditory neuropathy.