Hair cell regeneration in the inner ear: a review.

Hair cell regeneration has been shown to occur in the inner ear of mammals. Specifically, it has been demonstrated in the vestibular system and not the organ of Corti. Recent evidence suggests that the degree of the regenerative response may be augmented pharmacologically. This review discusses the field of hair cell regeneration in fish, amphibians, birds and mammals, and the relationship of regeneration to functional recovery