Glucocorticoids are hormones released following stress-related events and function to
maintain homeostasis. Glucocorticoid receptors localize, among others, to hair cells, spiral
ligament and spiral ganglion neurons. Glucocorticoid receptor-induced protection against
acoustic trauma is found by i) pretreatment with glucocorticoid agonists; ii) acute restraint
stress; and iii) sound conditioning. In contrast, glucocorticoid receptor antagonists
exacerbate hearing loss. These findings have important clinical significance since synthetic …