In that case, we are reluctant to cut either balance nerve so a sac decompression is preferred. Another alternative is to give streptomycin or gentamycin. These are strong medications that were first used as antibiotics. It was eventually discovered to have an unusual side effect wherein high doses could destroy balance function. Research is currently attempting to find ways to give this medication in small controlled doses with the goal of reducing dizziness while preserving balance and hearing.
Some patients develop a small leak of fluid from the inner ear.
There are no tests that can reliably diagnose this problem. If your doctor suspects this, a brief exploration of the inner ear as an outpatient under a local anesthetic may be recommended. If a leak is found, it can be patched with a small amount of tissue taken from behind your ear. Deciding on a therapy If you are unfortunate enough to have one of the types of dizziness that does not resolve on its own, you and your doctor will need to decide on which therapy is best for you. This is always a matter of weighing the pro's and con's of each option whether it is medical or surgical.