In this study, we examine a7 expression during development of the auditory sensory system. This was done using mice that were modified though methods of homologous recombination to introduce, at the a7 gene 3′ end, a hemagglutinin (HA) protein tag to the a7 receptor protein and a bicistronic IRES-driven tau + enhanced-GFP fusion protein reporter (a7 GFP ). An advantage of the tauGFP reporter construct is that the tau component directs GFP into the axon of cells expressing a7 GFP . Also generated was a mouse in which Cre-recombinase replaces the tauGFP. The expression of a7 GFP in these mice reveals extensive spatial and temporal remodeling of receptor expression during embryonic and postnatal development of the cochlear sensory structures. Furthermore, a7 GFP expression continues in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells of the adult cochlear structure and the central ascending auditory pathway. This suggests that a7 has the potential to impact functionally on auditory processes through multiple pathways and mechanisms that could impact upon the adult function in ways not traditionally attributed to this receptor.