The cochlear effects of sudden atomospheric pressure changes on guinea pigs placed in a chamber were studied after varying post loading intervals. Morphological changes in the inner ear with emphasis on the organ of Corti were observed under TEM. The immediate features noted were fracture of stereocilia with minimal intracellular changes and reversible dendritic swelling of the inner hair cells; 24 hours later, there was degeneration of outer hair cells and their replacement by supporting cells one week after. Inner hair cells showed slight degeneration without any further change over passage of time.
