Monitoring inner ear pressure changes in normal guinea pigs induced by the Meniett®20

The inner ear fluid pressure of guinea pigs was measured during a series of complex escalating middle ear pressure changes induced by the Meniett(R)20 (Pascal Medical, Sweden), a possible therapeutic pressure generator to be used by patients with Meniere's disease. Middle ear pressure changes were transferred instantly to the inner ear, although inner ear pressure declined while middle ear pressure stayed relatively stable. An average undershoot of - 1.0 cm H2O with respect to the steady-state pressure was seen after application of a pressure pulse, which was released in a few seconds. The results did not fully comply with a simple linear model in which a constant flow resistance between the inner ear and cerebrospinal space was assumed.