The immunohistochemical localization of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor subunit, NR-1 was investigated in the chinchilla cristae ampullaris and utricular maculae at the light and electron microscopy level with the use of specific antipeptide antibodies. The afferent calyces that innervate type I hair cell, and the basolateral type I vestibular hair cell is NR-1 immunoreactive. The afferent boutons innervating type II hair cells and the basal portion of type II hair cell are NR-1 non-immunoreactive. These findings are consistent with NMDA receptor mediation of afferent excitatory neurotransmission from type I, but not type II hair cells to the primary afferent vestibular nerve. The NMDA receptors on the type I hair cell are located in areas of synaptic specialization, and may play a role in autoregulation. The localization of the NMDA receptor subunit in type I but not type II hair cells is intriguing.