Component of neuronal acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that function as pentameric, ligand-gated cation channels with high calcium permeability. nAChRs are excitatory neurotrasnmitter receptors formed by a collection of nAChR subunits. Each nAchR subunit confers differential attributes to channel properties, including activation, deactivation and desensitization kinetics, pH sensitivity, cation permeability, and binding to allosteric modulators (Probable). Forms heteropentamers with CHRNA9. Expressed in the inner ear, in sympathetic neurons and in other non-neuronal cells, such as skin keratinocytes and lymphocytes (PubMed:11752216, PubMed:15531379). nAChR formed by CHRNA9:CHRNA10 is involved in modulation of auditory stimuli. The channel is permeable to a range of divalent cations including calcium, the influx of which may activate a potassium current which hyperpolarizes the cell membrane. In the ear, mediates synaptic transmission between efferent olivocochlear fibers and hair cells of the cochlea, this may lead to a reduction in basilar membrane motion, altering the activity of auditory nerve fibers and reducing the range of dynamic hearing (PubMed:11752216). This may protect against acoustic trauma. May also regulate keratinocyte adhesion (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q9UGM1, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11752216, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15531379, ECO:0000305|PubMed:18723036}. This is the function of CHRNA10 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 10 subunit, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000129749).