abnormal cochlear hair cell physiology abnormal cochlear outer hair cell physiology MP:0004434 MPheno.ontology abnormal cochlear OHC physiology any functional anomaly in processes pertinent to the function of cochlear OHCs which are known to enhance the performance of the cochlea, both qualitatively (increased selectivity) and quantitatively (increased sensitivity); in addition to the mechanoelectric transduction required for auditory sensation, OHCs also perform electromechanical transduction, whereby transmembrane voltage drives rapid changes in the length and stiffness of OHCs at audio frequencies in vitro (electromotility)