The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions useful for topical, non-invasive delivery of an oligonucleotide to the ear and to methods for the treatment of an ear disorder, including hearing loss arising from chemical-induced ototoxicity, acoustic trauma and presbycusis; and microbial infections. The method comprises topically administering to the ear of a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising an inhibitory oligonucleotide, a permeability enhancer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the oligonucleotide reduces or inhibits expression of a gene associated with the ear disorder in the subject.