Elsevier

Neurotoxicology and Teratology

Volume 19, Issue 2, March–April 1997, Pages 129-140
Neurotoxicology and Teratology

Article
Toluene-induced hearing loss: A mid-frequency location of the cochlear lesions

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0892-0362(96)00214-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Inhaled toluene (from 1000 to 2000 ppm, 6 h/day, 5 days/week, 4 weeks) is an ototoxic solvent that severely damaged the cochlea in adult Long-Evans rats. Auditory function was tested by recording near field potentials from the inferior colliculus. Surprisingly, the electrophysiologic results did not reflect all the cochlear damage observed by histology. Loss of outer hair cells of the organ of Corti occurred in all toluene-treated rats in middle and mid-apical turns, whereas the basal turn of the cochlea was fairly well preserved. The third row of outer hair cells was more injured than the second row, which itself was more injured than the first row. The locations of the cochlear lesions are reported in the present study with regard to the toluene dose.

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