Tinnitus and damged hair cells

[Eltonlamchunhung]

I wonder if tinniuts is caused by hair cells damage in the cochlea. Can damaged hair cells  heal on their own?  Is sudden hearing loss caused by sudden damage of hair cells? Can MRI reveal any damaged hair cells?
Any comments would be appreciated

[AuDitT]

The prevalent theory is that the damaged cochlea causes a rewireing (sp) within the brain. (very lay man's terms)

Initially it was thought that the damaged nerve cells where the culprit...  but over time it was shown that even if the main branch of nerves leading from the cochlea to the brain was was cut, tinnitus would still be present.

In other words, if the damaged nerve cells within the cochlea where sending obtuse signals to the brain, and then the nerve/pathway to the brain was cut, the signals could not be sent to the brain. Then one would expect the tinnitus to cease.  Well this is not the case.

So now the more prevalent belief is that tinnitus is neural based rather than cochlear based.


Hair cells are nerves, and nerves (in general) do not regenerate. If they could, no one would have a hearing loss due to ageing (aging) in the first place. etc

Sudden hearing loss is usually caused by a pathology within the cochlea, but it could be caused by many other things. TBI traumatic brain injury, Stroke, Fistula within the walls of the cochlea, skull fractures, baratruama....   the list can go on.

To my recolection, MRI are not sensitve enough to show nerve damage. They have a hard enough time showing cochlear implant electrodes, and you can see an electrode with your own eyes. Nerve cells are microscopic in size.

If you are going to allow tinnitus to absorb your life, you should consider buying some college text books regarding the subject rather than surfing the net. The net will only give you a glimpes about tinnitus & I think you are looking for detailed information.  (just my guess)

[Eltonlamchunhung]

Thanks for your detailed explanations.Does it mean that a deaf ear must be accompanied by tinnitus? Thanks.

[AuDitT]

Not always but it is very common.  I think the figure is around 90%+-

I have tinnitus, and I have normal hearing thresholds. It is only noticeable if I get in high alititudes or in quite areas.