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What is Meniere’s Disease?

woman covering both of her ears with her hands showing discomfort

It’s an inner ear condition that can result in imbalance, vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. Meniere’s disease affects people of all ages but is most common in those 40 to 60 years old. There isn’t a cure for this disorder, but there are ways to manage symptoms and reduce their impact on daily living.

Causes of Meniere’s Disease

Your inner ear contains endolymph fluid that moves when you turn your head to help regulate your balance. The fluid also stimulates tiny hair cells that send auditory signals to your brain. Meniere’s disease causes that fluid to build up, negatively affecting hearing and balance.

Fluid buildup may be caused by:

  • Allergies
  • Immune system responses
  • Head injuries
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Genetics
  • A blockage in your ear
  • Viral infections

Meniere’s Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of Meniere’s disease include:

  • Vertigo
  • Tinnitus
  • Hearing loss, especially low-frequency sounds
  • A sense of fullness in your ear
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of balance
  • Headaches

How is Meniere’s Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosis depends on your medical history and the presence and duration of your symptoms. Your primary physician may recommend visiting an audiologist, ENT specialist or neurologist to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis.

An audiologist will examine your ear and discuss your symptoms. They will also complete a hearing test to determine if your condition has created hearing loss issues in your middle ear.

They may recommend a balance test because your ears contribute to your spatial awareness. You’ll also turn and rotate your head or stand on balance platforms to assess your stability. An MRI may be needed to determine if any blockages or tumors are affecting your hearing health.

Complications of Meniere’s Disease

It can be difficult to predict when a dizzy spell or vertigo episode will occur and how long it will last. That uncertainty could cause unease and anxiety. Imbalance can also increase your risk of falling and sustaining an injury. Meniere’s disease symptoms may make it difficult to drive or complete activities of daily living, including doing chores and cooking.

Treatment Options

Hearing aids: Wearing hearing aids can help combat hearing loss symptoms. Some devices offer tinnitus masking programs to reduce the effect of the ringing in your ears. Hearing aid settings are also adjustable and can be tweaked to address hearing fluctuations brought on by Meniere’s disease.

Surgery: If a tumor is exacerbating your tinnitus or vertigo, surgical removal may be necessary. You can also have the endolymph fluid drained to reduce your symptoms and relieve ear pressure. In extreme cases, removing the labyrinth structure can alleviate symptoms, but leave you with complete hearing loss in the affected ear.

Physical therapy: Strength and coordination exercises can support your ability to balance. You may also learn gaze stabilization to help keep your vision steady during head movements. Depending on your trigger, you may also practice exposing yourself to movements or sensations that induce vertigo to desensitize yourself to them.

Diet: Foods high in sodium have been linked to tinnitus and vertigo as they constrict blood vessels, affecting blood flow to your ears. Caffeine and alcohol are also common triggers, so reduce or eliminate them from your diet.

Lifestyle: Physical activity helps strengthen your balance and maintains healthy blood flow which can reduce tinnitus symptoms. Loud sounds can trigger a vertigo or tinnitus spike, so be mindful of your acoustic surroundings and avoid loud environments.

Medication: Anti-vertigo and vasodilation medications can help support blood flow to blood vessels, alleviating tinnitus and vertigo symptoms. Some medications can exacerbate both conditions, so consult your physician to determine if your medication is affecting your hearing.

Visit an audiologist: Audiologists can prescribe aural rehabilitation to help you cope with your vertigo and tinnitus symptoms.

Audiology Services in Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota

You don’t have to face your hearing health journey alone. The expert audiologists at Hearing Associates can assess, diagnose and help treat hearing-related conditions. We also offer different educational resources for you and your loved ones. Contact us to schedule your appointment.