Meniere's disease is a long-term inner ear condition that causes attacks of vertigo together with changes in hearing in the affected ear. It usually starts in one ear. Some people later have it in both.
The typical attack
A Meniere's attack often includes:
- Vertigo that lasts from about 20 minutes to several hours.
- Hearing loss in the affected ear, often of low sounds, that may come and go at first.
- Tinnitus, a ringing, roaring or buzzing sound, often louder around an attack.
- Aural fullness, a feeling of pressure or blockage in the ear.
- Nausea, vomiting and needing to lie still.
Many people notice warning signs before an attack, such as the ear feeling full or the tinnitus getting louder. After an attack, tiredness and unsteadiness can last for a day or more.
Attacks come and go. There can be weeks or months between them, then a cluster.
What causes it
The exact cause is not fully understood. It is linked to a build-up of fluid in the inner ear, called endolymphatic hydrops, but that alone does not explain every case.
How it is diagnosed
Diagnosis is made by an ENT specialist, often with an audiologist. It is based on your history of attacks and hearing tests, such as an audiogram, showing changes in hearing over time. Other tests may be used to rule out other causes.
How it is managed
Options are decided with your ENT and can include:
- Changes to diet. Many people are advised to keep salt (sodium) intake steady and lower.
- Medicines to reduce attacks or to ease the vertigo and sickness during one.
- Vestibular rehabilitation to help with balance between attacks.
- Other treatments for attacks that do not settle.
Meniere's in VertigoMe
- When you pick Meniere's disease as a subtype, hearing-related items are suggested for your lists, and the warning-sign list includes things like Ear fullness and Tinnitus louder.
- The Sodium today card on Home adds up the sodium in the food you log against a daily target of 1500 mg.
- A Barometric pressure alert appears on Home when the air pressure where you are has dropped by 10 hPa or more since yesterday.
- When you log a spin you can note hearing changes, tinnitus and which ear.
When to get help quickly
A sudden loss of hearing in one ear, with or without vertigo, should be checked the same day by a doctor or urgent care service. Early treatment can matter.
This is general information only. It cannot tell you what is causing your symptoms. Please speak to your GP, ENT, neurologist or audiologist about your own situation.
