Listen up! Don't take your ears for granted. Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the U.S, and it can affect the quality of your life and relationships. About 48 million Americans have lost some hearing. Certain conditions, including age, illness, and genetics, may play a role in hearing loss.
Perilymph fistula has two main causes: 1  The most common causes of a perlymph fistula is trauma to the head or a sudden change in atmospheric presssure, called barotrauma, usually occurring on an airplane or scuba diving. 2  A perilymph fistula has been seen as a side effect of syphilis or Lyme disease.
Another possible location for a fistula is in the bone of the ear (the otic capsule). 1  This is a rare condition where the bone between the ear and brain area is missing or thin, causing symptoms very similar to that of a round or oval window fistula. Problems in the otic capsule that may cause a perilymph fistula include: 1  Superior canal dehiscence syndrome. 2  Cholesteatoma. 3  Fenestration. 4  Temporal bone fracture. 5  Micro-fissure.