Meniere's Disease, also known as "glaucoma of the ear", is caused by an excess accumulation of fluid in the inner ear. Most patients have one or more of the following:

• Fullness or pressure in the ear
• Roaring, ringing or other noises in the ear
• Loss of hearing, especially loss of the ability to understand, which is usually progressive, but may fluctuate from better to worse as it progresses
• Dizziness, which occurs in episodes, and unsteadiness, which may become constant

Normally, the fluid produced in the inner ear is absorbed in the endolymphatic sac. As a result of a small and inadequate sac, made worse by an injury, allergy, infection or stress of any kind, there may be a reduced absorption of inner ear fluid from the endolymphatic sac and/or excess production of inner ear fluid, which causes excess fluid to accumulate in the inner ear.

Dexamethasone perfusion of the inner ear through the round wndow increases the absorption and reduces the production of endolymph, and is of value in early Meniere's disease, Stage I, to relieve the fullness, noise and hearing loss, and Stages II and III to stop the dizzy spells, reduce the fullness and noise and improve the hearing.

Streptomycin/dexamethasone perfusion of the inner ear through the round window reduces the sensitivity of the balance receptors in the inner ear, so the patient usually has no more dizzy spells, although the patient may continue to be unsteady, and it increases the absorption and reduces the production of endolymph, so the hearing may be improved and the fullness and noise in the ear may be less.

Positional Vertigo is another cause for dizzy spells helped by perfusion of the inner ear through the round window in the middle ear. When balance exercises and medical treatment do not stop the dizzy spells, perfusion of the inner ear through the round window in the middle ear usually stops the dizzy spells and usually does not make the hearing worse.

Streptomycin/dexamethasone perfusion of the inner ear through the round window reduces the sensitivity of the balance receptors in the inner ear, so the patient is no longer dizzy, even if all the "floaters" are not removed by the canalith repositioning procedure and balance exercises.

Tinnitus, or noise in the ears, is caused by various things from Meniere's Disease to deterioration of the hearing nerves, reaction to drugs, etc.

Xylocaine/dexamethasone perfusion of the inner ear through the round wndow, together with intravenous xylocaine and dexamethasone, is of value in severe tinnitus, especially when in one ear only, by reducing the activity of the cochlea.