Ménière's Disease: Dizziness, Tinnitus and Hearing Loss From the Inner Ear

Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear, and a common cause of hearing loss. It usually affects only one ear.

Symptoms

• severe dizziness;
• a roaring sound in the ear, called tinnitus;
• hearing loss that comes and goes;
• a feeling of pressure or pain in the ear.

The attacks

Dizzy spells can start suddenly, or after a short spell of tinnitus or muffled hearing. Some people have a single attack now and then; others have many close together over several days. Some have "drop attacks", in which the dizziness is so severe that they lose their balance and fall.

Cause and diagnosis

The cause is not yet known. Scientists think it involves the levels of fluid, or the mixing of fluids, in the canals of the inner ear. Doctors diagnose it from a physical exam and the symptoms, and a hearing test shows how much it has affected hearing.

Treatment

There is no cure. Treatments include:

• medicines to control dizziness;
• eating less salt;
• water pills;
• a device that fits in the outer ear and sends pulses of air to the middle ear;
• surgery, in severe cases.

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Meniere's Disease," drawing on the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://medlineplus.gov/menieresdisease.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.