Meniere’s disease (pronounced Men-years) is a chronic disorder of the inner ear that can cause vertigo, fullness in the ear and hearing loss. It is often diagnosed due to the life-changing affect vertigo can have. As adults age, dizziness can become part of life, but should always be discussed with a healthcare provider, especially if you experience any new dizziness.
The diagnosis of Meniere’s disease is often made when adults are between the ages of 40-60. If you or someone you know is experiencing dizziness or vertigo, there is help! Read on to learn more about Meniere’s.
Symptoms of Meniere’s disease
Fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss
- Poor understanding of words
- Sensitivity to loud sounds
- Distortion of sounds
- Low frequency hearing loss
Episodes of vertigo
- Episodes may last 20 minutes to 23 hours
- Vomiting may occur
- The perception of sound in your ears that can be described as low- or
- high-pitched sounds or even a roaring sound
Pressure or fullness in the ear
- Described as not being able to clear or “pop” the ear or the feeling of cotton in the ears
- Sound seems muffled
How to get help for Meniere’s disease
You should start by discussing dizziness with your primary care physician and request (if necessary) a referral to an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist to have your hearing evaluated.
If you have hearing loss, your hearing care professional can help you treat it with hearing aids. They can also refer you to an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) for balance tests, lab work or imaging related to dizziness that you may be experiencing.
Origin of the name Meniere’s disease
Dr. Prosper Meniere was a French physician that lived in the 1800s. Dr. Meniere was one of the first to understand and articulate the connection between hearing loss and balance disorders.
Treatments for Meneire’s
There is no cure for Meniere’s disease, but symptom management is possible. There are a variety of medications available for treating vertigo and dizziness including motion sickness medications, anti-nausea medications, diuretics and betahistines.
Some people are treated with injections to the middle ear and steroids and there are surgical options for severe cases as well.
There are also rehabilitative therapies that can help with balance and hearing aids can improve your ability to hear.
Hearing aids for Meneire’s disease
Hearing aids can be very beneficial for people diagnosed with Meniere’s disease. Here are some features to look for when you purchase hearing aids:
- A volume control. This can be in the form of a smart phone app to control the volume, remote control or a manual wheel or button that controls the volume.
- Different listening settings or programs. This addresses any concerns that might arise when your hearing fluctuates and might be better or poorer.
- Bluetooth™ enables a user to connect their hearing aids directly to a laptop, phone or TV. The user can then adjust the volume to their preference.
- Tinnitus masker. A tinnitus masker is a sound generator or white noise machine built into the hearing aid. Some people feel this feature provides significant relief from tinnitus.
If you think you may have Meneire’s disease, or you have a diagnosis and are interested in new hearing devices, please contact us today to schedule an appointment – our licensed hearing care experts are ready to help.
Resources
Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA)
Discover a Life Rebalanced - Vestibular Disorders Association
American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Deafness and other communication disorders (NIDCD)
What Is Ménière's Disease? — Diagnosis and Treatment
