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How does excessive noise damage inner-ear hair cells?

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Can bubble curtains protect harbor porpoises from noise pollution? — noise pollution Learn about the impact of underwater noise on marine animals, notably harbour porpoises.

Excessive noise exposure can cause irreversible physical damage to the hair cells located within the inner ear, specifically those found in the organ of Corti. These sensory cells are responsible for transducing mechanical sound vibrations into nerve impulses, a process essential for hearing.123

When these cells are subjected to intense or continuous noise, they can suffer structural injury. Because these hair cells do not regenerate, their destruction leads to permanent hearing loss. When a hair cell degenerates due to such noise-induced injury, it disappears and is replaced by adjacent supporting cells that expand to form a "scar".12

It is a fundamental ethical principle to protect human health and well-being; therefore, recognizing the dangers of excessive noise is vital. The use of ear protection devices is highly recommended to prevent such irreversible physiological damage and to mitigate the nonauditory effects of acoustic energy, such as stress and disorientation.1