Selective degeneration of synapses in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of chinchilla following acoustic trauma and effects of antioxidant treatment

► Noise exposure caused degeneration of cartwheel cell synapses in the DCN. ► The degeneration may be involved in the DCN hyperactivity after noise exposure. ► Antioxidant treatment after noise exposure reduced the degeneration. ► Antioxidants have impact on central auditory structures while rescuing hair cells.