Time- and frequency-dependent changes in acoustic startle reflex amplitude following cyclodextrin-induced outer and inner cell loss

•Acoustic startle reflex (ASR) amplitudes changed during cyclodextrin-induced hair cell loss.•Amplitudes typically declined in early phase of drug-induced outer hair cell (OHC) loss.•Amplitudes remained stable in the late-phase of drug-induced inner hair cell (IHC) loss.•Amplitudes were occasionally enhanced when the lesion was confined to cochlear base.