In situ real-time sequential potentiometric determinations of potassium concentrations from three cochlear regions in noise-exposed rats.

Double-barrelled potassium selective microelectrodes (K-ISME) were used in situ for real-time sequential determinations of potassium concentrations (CK+) in endolymph, marginal cells and the spiral ligaments of rats exposed to moderate noise at 100 dB for 30 min (NE) and control (CTL) animals. CK+ in NE animals at these sites did not differ significantly when compared to CK+ in CTL animals. However, there was a slight decrease in CK+ in marginal cells in the noise-exposed animals.