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Related Concept Videos

The Cochlea01:13

The Cochlea

50.5K
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.
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Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

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Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
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Hair Cells01:22

Hair Cells

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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.
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Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

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Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
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Unrenewable Cells00:50

Unrenewable Cells

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In humans, the photoreceptor cells of the eye and sensory hair cells of the ear lack stem cells. These cells are thus unrenewable and cannot be replaced when they are damaged or destroyed.
Photoreceptors
The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors (rods and cones) change their membrane potential when stimulated by light energy. There are two types of photoreceptors—rods and cones—which differ in the shape of...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Auditory Brainstem Response and Outer Hair Cell Whole-cell Patch Clamp Recording in Postnatal Rats
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Auditory Brainstem Response and Outer Hair Cell Whole-cell Patch Clamp Recording in Postnatal Rats

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Outer hair cell cochlear dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Irene Cheuk-Wai Cheung1, Michel Neeff2, Syed Hussain3

  • 1Audiology, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand; Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.

Respiratory Medicine
|October 24, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may impair cochlear hair cell function, particularly in severe cases. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment primarily affects middle ear pressure, not other auditory functions.

Keywords:
Cochlear hearingContinuous positive airway pressureMiddle ear pressureObstructive sleep apneaSleep

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Last Updated: Jan 14, 2026

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Cochlear Surface Preparation in the Adult Mouse
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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Audiology

Background:

  • The link between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and hearing impairment is not well-established.
  • OSA-related upper airway obstruction may alter Eustachian tube anatomy, affecting middle ear function.
  • Recurrent hypoxia during OSA may compromise cochlear function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate peripheral hearing function in patients with OSA.
  • To determine the effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy on auditory function in OSA patients.

Main Methods:

  • An observational study involving 91 participants with varying OSA severity.
  • Hearing function assessed before sleep, middle ear function monitored during sleep.
  • Impact of CPAP on hearing function was evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Increasing OSA severity correlated with reduced cochlear outer hair cell function, potentially due to hypoxia.
  • CPAP therapy increased middle ear pressure (MEP) proportionally to pressure settings.
  • No significant impact of CPAP on other auditory regions was observed.

Conclusions:

  • OSA patients may experience diminished cochlear hair cell function.
  • CPAP treatment primarily influences middle ear pressure.
  • Further research is needed to explore OSA's effects on central auditory pathways.