Understanding Vertigo & Meniere's Disease

Understanding Vertigo & Meniere’s Disease

Matt DearingHearing Loss

Have you been experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or hearing loss? Sometimes hearing loss and vertigo can appear together, as is the case when you have Meniere’s disease. This disease, named after the doctor who identified it in the 1800s, can cause pain and discomfort in the ear, as well as vertigo and hearing loss.

What is Meniere’s Disease?

Meniere’s disease is a disease that affects the inner ear. During an episode of the disease, you’ll feel pressure and hearing loss in the ear, as well as experiencing dizziness or vertigo. Meniere’s disease is usually present in only one ear, so you’ll experience the symptoms in just one ear. This is a chronic disease, and there is no cure for Meniere’s disease. However, there are treatment options that will reduce the effects, and bring relief from the symptoms. 

What are the Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease?

A typical Meniere’s disease episode will begin with feelings of pressure in the ear along with tinnitus, feeling like sounds are muffled, or experiencing hearing loss. Most people will also experience vertigo. These episodes can be very short, or they can last several hours before the symptoms go away.

There are a number of symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Pain in the ear
  • Swelling in the inner ear
  • Uncomfortable feeling of pressure in the ear
  • Vertigo
  • Dizzy spells
  • Tinnitus
  • Hearing loss

In most cases, Meniere’s disease affects only one ear, so you’ll notice these symptoms in only one ear. The symptoms are not continuous. Instead, the symptoms may come and go. Some people will experience several episodes a day for a few days, while others may have one episode every few weeks or months. 

What are the Risk Factors for Meniere’s Disease?

People of all ages can have Meniere’s disease, however it’s most common in people aged 40 to 60. It’s believed that Meniere’s disease is caused by an increase of pressure in the inner ear. This could be triggered by any of the following: 

  • An infection of the middle or inner ear
  • A respiratory infection
  • A viral infection
  • A head or ear injury
  • An allergic reaction
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Smoking
  • A family history of Meniere’s disease
  • As a side effect of a medication 

These are just some of the possible risk factors that cause Meniere’s disease. Doctors still don’t know exactly what causes Meniere’s disease, or how to cure the disease.

Hearing Loss and Meniere’s Disease

During an episode, Meniere’s disease can often cause hearing loss. The most common kind of hearing loss is a low-frequency hearing loss, so you’ll have trouble hearing sounds that are at a lower pitch. This could include the lower tones in your favorite music, or the sound of men’s voices. While this hearing loss may be temporary and can go away after the episode, sometimes the hearing loss will persist after an episode. 

People with Meniere’s disease will usually develop hearing loss as they age, either in the affected ear or in both ears.

Treating Meniere’s Disease

If you’ve been experiencing the symptoms of Meniere’s disease, visit an ENT or come see us at My Hearing Centers. There is no cure for Meniere’s disease, so treatment options focus on reducing the symptoms of the disease. You may be able to take an antibiotic to reduce inflammation or manage dizziness. Other treatment options could include taking diuretics to treat fluid retention, or even surgery to reduce the pressure in the inner ear.

Doctors recommend that you eat a healthy diet and stop smoking. You can also learn some stress management techniques to help lower your stress levels, manage your tinnitus, and relax during episodes of the disease.

Treating Hearing Loss

For people with hearing loss caused by Meniere’s disease, quality hearing aids are a great treatment option. Whether you need one hearing aid or two, these devices can help you hear the sounds you’ve been struggling to hear. These hearing aids will be calibrated to match your unique hearing needs, and they’ll be set to the degree of hearing loss you have in each ear.

We have a range of hearing devices from the world’s top hearing aid manufacturers. Visit us today and learn more about your hearing aid options.