Nitric oxide (NO) has specifically been found to mediate the effects of excitatory amino acids in the central nervous system (CNS). Excitatory amino acids are the primary neurotransmitters at the cochlear hair cell afferent nerve synapse. Recent studies in our laboratory demonstrate that NO synthase is an active enzyme in the spiral ganglion cells of the cochlea. Given our current understanding of neurotransmission in the cochlea, it is reasonable to postulate that the actions of NO in cochlear neuronal tissue are similar to the actions of NO in the CNS, and that NO acts as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the cochlea. In addition, NO is implicated as a mediator of excitotoxicity in the CNS and may therefore play a similar role in excitotoxicity in the cochlea. To further elucidate the role of NO in cochlear excitotoxicity, this study investigated the effects of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a competitive inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, with regard to kainic acid (KA)-induced elevation of compound action potential (CAP) thresholds. KA is a conformationally restricted analog of glutamate with well-known excitotoxic effects on SGC's and previously described inhibitory actions on cochlear CAP thresholds. In anesthetized gerbils, CAP thresholds were recorded before and after cochlear perfusions with control solutions of artificial perilymph solution and test solutions of KA. 7-NI was administered i.p. prior to KA perfusion in an effort to block its depolarizing and toxic effects. Results showed that cochlear perfusion with KA caused significant elevation (p < 0.05) of the mean CAP threshold. This threshold shift was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in animals pretreated with 7-NI. These results indicate that NO is involved in the toxic effects on CAP thresholds elicited by KA in the cochlea.