Electrolytic Lesioning in the Cochlea

A method has been developed whereby relatively discrete portions of the organ of Corti can be selectively destroyed with the use of a high-frequency current. The procedure involves passing the current (1 to 3 ma at an approximate frequency of 5 megahertz) between a differential pair of recording electrodes located in the scalae vestibuli and tympani of a particular cochlear turn. Damage patterns progressing from partial to complete outer hair cell lesioning and eventually to the inner hair cells accompanied by progressive decreases in cochlear microphonic sensitivity can be effected.