Comparative study of age-related cochlear hair cell loss.

Age-related hair cell loss has been studied in squirrel monkeys using surface preparation of the organ of Corti. Increasing hair cell loss starting at the apex is seen as a function of age. This finding is discussed in the light of our studies in guinea pigs, chinchillas, and rabbits. Reviewed with other human and experimental data, it would appear that many species of animals have age-related histological damage similar to that seen in the human organ of Corti.