The present invention relates generally to the identification and isolation of human otic progenitor cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of using cell markers to identify and isolate human otic progenitor cells from a mixed population of cells, methods of enrichment and production of human otic progenitor cells, and associated kits for use in identification and/or isolation of human otic progenitor cells, wherein the cell markers are selected from SSEA1 (CD15), disialoganglioside GD3, TRA-2-49 (liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase), SSEA4, ganglioside GD2 and CD141.