For the past 5 years I have been seeing doctor after doctor including an ENT group for continued progressive hearing loss. I also had a few dizzy spells in July 2010. Every doctor kept telling me I had allergies and to take various allergy medications. When it got to the point of not being able to hear at all I went back to the ENT looking to get a hearing aide. He did a myringotomy and then when the fluid was found to be clear suspected a possible CSF leak. He sent me for a CT scan and then an MRI. It turned out that I had leaks on both sides of my skull. Refered me to an ENT surgeon who then pointed me to a Nerosurgeon. This was all within a weeks time. The rush was on because now I had two ear drums with CSF leaking out of them and a greater chance of meningitis. My Nerosurgeon (who by the way is one of the best doctors in the world as far as I am concerned), acted quickly to put in a VP shunt. Opening the shunt up allowed my ear drums to heal within a few days. Thinking that the leak is a sympton of something else (possible spontainious leak, possible intercrainal hypertention). After trying to adjust the VP shunt over the course of several weeks we finally found a sufficent setting but it was still not improving my hearing. Two weeks ago my doctor decided to repair the right side of my head. The leaking looked worse on the right side and apparently the right side of the brain has a little better chance of risk issues since the left side has more function. Well all I can say it is it has been two weeks. Had my stiches removed today. Feel pretty good. It looks like the right side and left side are improving with less leaking. My hearing has improved in both ears slightly. Right side has been repaired with a crainiotomy and fat layering. The left side seems to controlled by the shunt. Both my husband and I are hopeful that this may be the end of the 5 year ordeal. It is very frustrating if you do not have a surgeon who is willing to listen and care. I for one had the best around. I highly suggest Albany Medical Center in Albany NY. Their nero science department is OUTSTANDING. I can not say enough about the quick reponse and the level of care that they provided me. I am not sure what the future holds but I know who will be treating me for it. There is no other place I would ever go. Thank you Albany Med and Doctor D.