Changes in the adult vertebrate auditory sensory epithelium after trauma

Auditory hair cells transduce sound vibrations into membrane potential changes, ultimately leading to changes in neuronal firing and sound perception. This review provides an overview of the characteristics and repair capabilities of traumatized auditory sensory epithelium in the adult vertebrate ear. Injured mammalian auditory epithelium repairs itself by forming permanent scars but is unable to regenerate replacement hair cells. In contrast, injured non-mammalian vertebrate ear generates replacement hair cells to restore hearing functions. Non-sensory support cells within the auditory epithelium play key roles in the repair processes.

► Overview of traumatized auditory epithelium in the adult vertebrate ear is provided.
► Repair capacities of traumatized vertebrate auditory epithelium are discussed.
► Support cell phenotype changes after damage are examined.
► Support cell roles in maintaining spiral ganglion cells after damage are discussed.