Transformations of structural defects, the hydrogen state, and electrophysical properties of silicon treated in hydrogen plasma are studied. Treatment in plasma (150 o C) produces bands in Raman spectra at 2095 and 2129 cm -1 that are associated with scattering by Si-H vibrations. Subsequent heat treatment (275 o C) causes a band for gaseous molecular H 2 to appear at 4153 cm -1 . A comparison of Raman spectra and scanning probe microscopy results shows that hydrogenation forms defects (platelets) of average size 43 nm and surface density 6.5•10 9 cm -2 that are due to precipitation of H 2 and formation of Si-H bonds. Inclusions of average size 115 nm and surface density 1.7•10 9 cm -2 that are fi lled with molecular H 2 are observed after heat treatment. The concentration of free charge carriers remains constant after treatment in plasma and subsequent heat treatment.