Not all hearing loss and inner ear issues are consistent or predictable. Bouts of vertigo (or vertigo attacks) that come and go spontaneously, accompanied by mild to moderate hearing loss and/or tinnitus may be signs of Ménière’s disease, a chronic condition that can interrupt your normal lifestyle. Fortunately, diagnosis and treatment for Meniere’s are available through appointments with the clinical audiologists at New York Hearing Doctors.
What is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition that affects the function of the inner ear, responsible not only for aspects of hearing but also balance. Although it can occur in both ears, Meniere’s disease and other vestibular disorders often only affect only one ear. It typically appears in adults between the ages of 40–50 and comes as attacks of symptoms that last less than 24 hours and can span years between episodes.
What Causes Meniere’s Disease?
Originally identified in 1861, the cause of Meniere’s disease is disputed among researchers. The prevailing theory is that for any number of reasons, an abnormal amount of fluid in the inner or middle ear disrupts the systems of balance and hearing in the affected ear, causing the symptoms experienced during an attack of the disease. Possible factors that affect the amount of this fluid are genetics, viral infection, immune response, or a blockage that prevents fluid from draining properly.
What are the Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease?
Symptoms experienced during an episode of Meniere’s disease are:
- Dizziness (vertigo symptoms)
- Hearing loss
- Tinnitus (constant ringing or rushing sound)
- Pressure or fullness feeling in the ear
Attacks of these symptoms, in combination or by themselves, can last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. Sometimes, these attacks can come on suddenly, in some cases causing “drop falls,” or sudden shifts in balance sensation that cause patients to rapidly shift their weight and fall. Other times, attacks are more gradual, resulting in prolonged feelings of unsteadiness.
Meniere’s DiseaseFAQs
Is drinking water good for Menieres disease?
What are lifestyle modifications for Meniere’s disease?
Is Meniere’s disease a disability?
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Is Meniere’s disease serious?
What are the three stages of Menieres disease?
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Does Meniere’s disease go away on its own?
Does Menieres affect your eyes?
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Do you go completely deaf with Meniere’s disease?
What should a person with Meniere’s disease avoid?
How long does Meniere’s disease last?
How debilitating is Meniere’s disease?
How is Meniere’s Disease Diagnosed?
In combination with the right set of symptoms reported, we will diagnose Meniere’s disease through a series of tests, usually including a hearing test and a balance test.
How is Meniere’s Disease Treated?
Because Meniere’s disease and its associated vertigo attacks occur spontaneously and unpredictably, treatments are most focused on mitigating the attacks themselves. However, for frequent, severe, and/or debilitating episodes, we may prescribe medications to reduce nausea and dizziness, or to regulate the amount of fluid in the inner ear. Hearing aids may also help treat hearing loss and its associated symptoms.
What Lifestyle Changes May Help the Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease?
Some research suggests that changes to diet or lifestyle can help reduce the severity of attacks of Meniere’s disease. Reducing salt and caffeine intake can lower the severity of vertigo attacks or prevent them from happening as often. In addition, quitting smoking and practicing good stress management may help reduce the severity of attacks, as Meniere’s is often correlated to elevated anxiety and stress levels.
Schedule a Hearing Assessment
Meniere’s disease can be more than just a nuisance; it can be debilitating. If these symptoms apply to your experience, a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan can go a long way toward getting you back on your feet. Schedule an appointment with the expert audiologists at New York Hearing Doctors today and start getting the care and treatment for Meniere’s disease you need.