The effects of middle ear pressure pulses were studied in 37 patients with a 
diagnosis of definite Meniere's disease and active vestibular symptoms, 31 of 
whom had failed to respond to medical treatment including diuretics prior to 
pressure treatment. The number of vertigo spells during the 6 months prior to 
treatment and for 6, 18 and 24 months after the start of treatment were 
evaluated. The functionality level scores were three or worse according to the 
American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) criteria. 
The results of the study were as follows: 19 patients experienced freedom from 
vertigo spells; 15 patients reported a significant decrease in the frequency of 
vertigo spells; and 3 patients did not respond to pressure treatment and were 
subjected to gentamicin injections, I of whom consequently became deaf in the 
affected ear. No patient became worse in connection with pressure treatment. 
With the exception of the three patients who did not respond to pressure 
treatment, all patients reported an improvement in functionality of at least two 
levels according to the AAO-HNS functionality scale. No side effects or adverse 
events were observed during the 2 years of pressure treatment. Overall, the 
results indicate that pressure treatment provides efficient control of symptoms 
in patients with intractable forms of Ménière's disease without producing any 
adverse effects on the inner ear.