The cases of 3 patients who had 'perilymph gushers' following stapes surgery are reported. The similarities in their clinical histories and examinations are discussed. All 3 were males and had progressive mixed deafness presenting in early childhood. Polytomography revealed anomalies in both the vestibule and internal auditory meatus in 1 patient; the stapedial reflex was unexpectedly large in all 3. Further preoperative evaluation of these features in other patients and patients affected by the X-linked deafness syndrome is indicated in order to assess the validity of the above criteria.