Effect of the high potassium medium on cultured cochlear epithelial cells.

1. A high potassium and low sodium culture medium does not produce morphological change in cochlear epithelial cells such as sulcus cell, Deiters' cell, Hensen's cell, Claudius' cell and Raissner's membrane cell. 2. Interdental cells of spiral limbus are affected by a high potassium medium but the change is to a moderate degree. 3. Outer hair cells degenerate quickly in a high potassium and low sodium medium. The onset and the grade of the degeneration is in a parallel with the potassium concentration, and a concentration of more than 46.4 mEq/l produces an acute and severe degeneration of outer hair cells.