Hi there–sorry to hear you are having such trouble. As you may know by now, it’s often difficult to figure out the cause of dizziness/vertigo and ear problems, because cases can be atypical, a LOT of the symptoms are common to MANY causes of dizziness (“brain fog,” visual discomfort, etc.), and even the biggest ear/neurology specialists can have different opinions. Tests, surgeries, and trials of medications are frequently not definitive or just confound the picture. Dang ears! Dang brains!! 
I had PLF surgery in 1999 after experiencing a sudden unilateral hearing loss and greatly increased dizziness when I sneezed hard one day. By the time I was referred to a neurotologist, it was more than four months after the event. He was the first one to suggest PLF. (Also in Portland, but we are probably not talking about the same doctor–mine was Dr. David F. Wilson; there was another doc in Portland who was well known for (over)diagnosing PLF–he died but still has followers, I think.)
Anyway, I was so happy to get a likely diagnosis and looked forward to the immediate improvement one expects (and should get) after PLF surgery. It didn’t happen, unfortunately. Dr. Wilson did not see a PLF during the surgery (which doesn’t necessarily rule it out) and despite his patching, I did not have a big improvement (which pretty much DOES rule it out).
Doctors never did figure out why I was dizzy. They ruled out everything and gave up on me. I finally, within the last couple of years, self-diagnosed myself with MAV. It all makes sense to me now, and there really is nothing left. Every doctor I’ve asked about it says they don’t think my dizziness is due to migraine, but I think it has to be.
As for my hearing loss, the best theory was that it was a stroke (blood clot) in my inner ear when I sneezed. I never got my hearing back, but fortunately my other ear is fine.
Your situation is a toughie. I think that usually PLF occurs from worse pressure changes than you get on an airplane, but I don’t know… the surgery is not difficult, but at the time I had it, I know that surgeons varied wildly in their post-op restrictions. I only had to avoid heavy lifting and straining for two weeks, whereas the “other” neurotologist required his patients to stay in bed for weeks or months afterwards and had a couple dozen other rules such as no drinking from straws, tons of other stuff that I can’t remember now.
Sarah gave you some great info and advice. I think you should definitely ask the new doc the questions she suggested, and also about post-op restrictions to see if you are ready to follow them. Since the problem started with a pressure-change situation and hasn’t resolved, you may always be left wondering, “is it or isn’t it a PLF”? Having the surgery, if your doc recommends it, should put that question to rest. No need to feel anxious about it.
Although in my case it turned out NOT to be a PLF, I felt the surgery was justified (because of the clear sudden occurrence of hearing loss and “new” dizziness at the exact time I sneezed–even though I did NOT have the typical PLF thing of greatly increased symptoms with pressure changes, and I didn’t seem nearly as dizzy as most people with PLF, and my hearing loss never fluctuated as is typical with PLF), and so did another big ear specialist in Portland whom I saw later (a neurologist). I was glad that at least someone had “explored” my ear and saw the little bones were all in place and did his best to rule out a PLF.
One thing I will say, I haven’t heard that ear pain is associated with PLF, but I might be wrong. My “research” and memories are all from a loooong time ago.
Good luck with your decision. It might be a long process to come to a diagnosis (or the most likely diagnosis) and find the best treatment, but perhaps the surgery will help, and no matter what happens, you are likely to get better in the future! Most people do eventually, one way or another!
Nancy
