Acta oto-laryngologica
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Acta oto-laryngologica · Jan 2015
Noise induced reversible changes of cochlear ribbon synapses contribute to temporary hearing loss in mice.
Noise exposure can cause a decline in cochlear ribbon synapses and result in consequent hearing loss. The reduction of synaptic puncta appears reversible and may contribute to hearing restoration in mice after noise exposure. ⋯ Exposure to 110 dB white noise for 2 h induced TTS in mice, with the maximal ABR threshold elevations seen on the 4(th) day after noise exposure. There were no significant morphological changes in the cochlea. Paralleled changes of pre-synaptic ribbons in both the number and post-synaptic density (PSDs) during this noise exposure were detected. The number of pre-synaptic ribbon, post-synaptic density (PSDs), and co-localized puncta correlated with the shifts of ABR thresholds. Moreover, a complete recovery of ABR thresholds and synaptic puncta was seen on the 14(th) day after the noise stimulations.