The mitochondrion: A perpetrator of acquired hearing loss

► Mitochondria play a major role in cochlear function and dysfunction. ► Noise may affect mitochondrial metabolism by calcium influx. ► Presbycusis correlates with distinct mitochondrial lesions but not necessarily with oxidative stress. ► Aminoglycosides inhibit the respiratory chain via targeting mitochondrial function. ► Non-ototoxic aminoglycosides can be developed by eliminating their activity against the mitochondrial ribosome.