If symptoms persist, surgical repair of the fistula may be advised. Although less common, infection may pass through the membranes of the oval window into the fluids of the inner ear. This type of infection occurs most often in patients with an inner ear malformation. Meniere's disease is a common cause of repeated attacks of dizziness, and is sometimes associated with fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus . Treatment of Meniere's disease may be medical or surgical.
Acoustic tumors can develop on the auditory and vestibular nerve.
When this occurs, unsteadiness, hearing loss and head noise may occur. Surgical removal of these tumors may save hearing or result in deafness or facial paralysis.