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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
09:51
Cochlear Surface Preparation in the Adult Mouse
Published on: November 6, 2019
[Protection of the cochlea by ascorbic acid in noise trauma]
I Fischer1, U-R Heinrich, J Brieger
1Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik und Poliklinik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz.
HNO
|January 17, 2009
Summary
High doses of ascorbic acid significantly reduce hearing loss caused by noise exposure in guinea pigs. This protective effect is linked to decreased nitric oxide (NO) production in the inner ear.
Area of Science:
- Oto-toxicology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
Context:
- Noise exposure is a known cause of hearing impairment.
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has shown protective effects against noise-induced hearing loss in animal models.
- The specific impact of ascorbic acid on nitric oxide (NO) production within the cochlea remains under investigation.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effect of high-dose ascorbic acid on noise-induced hearing loss.
- To determine whether ascorbic acid influences nitric oxide (NO) production in the cochlea following noise exposure.
Summary:
- Guinea pigs received either low or high doses of ascorbic acid for seven days before noise exposure.
- High-dose ascorbic acid intake led to an approximate 8 dB reduction in hearing impairment post-noise exposure.
- A correlation was observed between improved hearing and reduced NO production in cochlear tissues, particularly the lateral wall.
Impact:
- High-dose ascorbic acid administration effectively mitigates noise-induced hearing loss.
- Ascorbic acid reduces nitric oxide production in the inner ear, offering protection against "nitroactive stress."
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for ascorbic acid in preventing noise-induced hearing damage.
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01:22Hair Cells
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.
01:13The Cochlea
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.