Permeability to sodium ions of the endolymph-perilymph barrier.

The endocochlear potential and Na+ activity in the endolymph were simultaneously measured with a double-barreled Na+ selective liquid membrane electrode. The modified Na+ conductance and permeability coefficient of the endolymph-perilymph barrier were calculated from the rate of change in the endolymph Na+ concentration relative to the Na+ electrochemical gradient across the barrier during permanent anoxia. In normal guinea pigs the Na+ conductance of the endolymph-perilymph barrier is approximately 5 times less than its K+ conductance. Exposure to noise or treatment with kanamycin suppresses the cochlear microphonics but does not result in significant alterations in the Na+ permeability of the endolymph-perilymph barrier. It is likely that the Na+ permeability of the endolymph-perilymph barrier is not involved in the physiological processes which lead to the cochlear damage produced by noise or kanamycin.