Outer Hair Cells

Outer Hair Cells (OHCs) are specialised cells found in the inner ear of mammals that are responsible for amplification in the cochlear. OHCs have a unique structural and functional feature called electromotility, which allows them to actively change their length in response to an electrical signal. This feature enables them to amplify the strength of sound waves passing through the cochlea and plays an important role in amplifying the faint sounds that reach the ear. This mechanism is responsible for our ability to detect faint sounds and thus is essential for hearing. OHCs are also thought to play a role in enhancing the frequency selectivity of the ear. OHCs are essential for normal hearing and their dysfunction is associated with hearing loss in humans.