Perilymph hypertension and the indirect measurement of cochlear pressure

Perilymph hypertension has been shown to produce hearing loss in animal experiments and in at least two clinical situations: chronic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) elevation and oval window “gushers.” Idiopathic perilymph hypertension may be a factor in other otologic conditions as well. The indirect measurement of increased cochlear pressure is discussed and a plea made for otolaryngologists and audiologists to consider such measurements in inner ear disease of obscure etiology in order to validate the concept that increased cochlear pressure is associated with ear disease other than Ménière's.