Scanning electron microscopy of the organ of Corti.

With the scanning electron microscope we have examined normal cochlear sensory epithelium of the guinea pig and cat and that damaged by noise. The studies demonstrate how the regular surface architecture of the organ of Corti is altered after exposure to noise. The changes include loss of sensory hairs, formation of giant hairs, and complete degeneration of circumscribed areas of the organ of Corti. Our method greatly reduces the artifacts.