Summating potential in Meniere's disease.

This study assesses several electrocochleographic (ECoG) duration and amplitude measures in a clinically defined Meniere's group and compares the results with those from a normal hearing control group and a hearing loss group (cochlear). The summating potential (SP)/action potential (AP) amplitude ratio was the most efficient diagnostic measure, with 62% of the Meniere's group demonstrating abnormal ratios compared to 4% of the normal control group and 17% of the cochlear group. The SP changes were then studied from three angles: 1. Comparison of SP changes with glycerol test results; 2. Comparison of ECoG results before and after shunt surgery; and 3. Recording of SP's in guinea pig ears in which hydrops had been created by obliterating the endolymphatic duct.