Is the ringing sound in the ears caused by dying ear cells?

Question

I was recently watching the movie "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/">Children of Men</a>" (great movie) by Alfonso Cuarón. Now in a certain scene, the lead actor happens to be nearby a loud explosion. Later, when he complains about the *'ringing-sound'* in his ears due to the explosion, a co-actor replies:>**Julian:** You know that ringing in your ears? That *'eeeeeeeeee'*?<br/> That's the sound of the ear cells dying, like their swan song. Once it's gone you'll never hear that frequency again.<br/> Enjoy it while it lasts. <br/>How true is that statement? <br/>Do the ear-cells really *di*e after such an incident?Can you really never hear that frequency of the ringing-sound again?

Answer 1

The ringing sound, or tinnitus, is caused by damage to hair cells in the inner ear that send information about sounds to the brain. So in a way, the scene is correct in explaining about some frequencies will never be heard after damage. However, the hair cells do not "die". It is more accurate to say they are damaged beyond repair.