Hearing Health Blog

Woman leaning against wall because of recurring dizziness.

The cause of Meniere’s isn’t really understood. But the effects are hard to underestimate. Some common symptoms of this disorder are vertigo, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss. Experts aren’t really certain why, but for some reason, fluid can accumulate in the ears and this appears to be the root cause of Meniere’s disease.

So the question is: if something doesn’t have a discernible cause, how can it be treated? It’s a complex answer.

Exactly what is Meniere’s disease?

There’s a chronic condition that impacts the inner ear and it’s called Meniere’s disease. Symptoms of Meniere’s will grow over time, for many patients, because it’s a progressive condition. Here are some of those symptoms:

Unpredictable bouts of vertigo: Sadly, when these episodes will occur and how long they will last can’t be predicted.

Tinnitus: It’s fairly common for individuals with Meniere’s disease to experience ringing in the ears or tinnitus, which can range from mild to severe.

Fullness in the ear: This symptom is medically referred to as aural fullness, the feeling of pressure in your ear.

Hearing loss: In the long run, Meniere’s disease can cause a loss of hearing.

If you experience these symptoms, it’s essential to receive an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms of Meniere’s disease can appear and disappear for many people. But eventually, symptoms may become more regular and noticeable.

How is Meniere’s disease treated?

There is no known cure for Menier’s disease which is chronic and progressive. But there are some ways to manage the symptoms.

The following are a few of those treatments:

  • Hearing aid: It may be time to try hearing aids if Meniere’s disease is progressing to the point where your ability to hear is failing. The advancement of your hearing loss won’t necessarily be slowed down by hearing aids. But it can benefit your mental health by keeping you socially active. There are also a number of ways hearing aids can help deal with tinnitus.
  • Positive pressure therapy: When Meniere’s disease is especially difficult to manage, this non-invasive strategy can be used. Positive pressure therapy is the medical term for this treatment. In order to minimize fluid buildup, the inner ear is subjected to positive pressure. While positive pressure therapy is encouraging, the long-term advantages of this approach have yet to be backed up by peer-reviewed studies.
  • Steroid shots: Injections of specific types of steroids can temporarily help relieve some Meniere’s symptoms, particularly when it comes to vertigo.
  • Surgery: In some cases, surgery is utilized to address Meniere’s. However, these surgical procedures will typically only impact the vertigo part of symptoms. Other Meniere’s symptoms will remain.
  • Rehabilitation: When Meniere’s disease is flaring up, You can use certain physical therapies that can help with balance. This approach may be a useful strategy if you’re experiencing frequent dizziness or vertigo.
  • Diuretic: Another form of medication that your physician could prescribe is a diuretic. The concept is that reducing the retention of fluids could help minimize pressure on your inner ear. This is a long-term medication that you’d take rather than one to reduce acute symptoms.
  • Medications: In some situations, your physician will be prescribe anti-dizziness and anti-nausea medications. This can be helpful when those particular symptoms occur. For example, medications made to help with motion sickness may help you feel less dizzy when a bout of vertigo happens.

Find the right treatment for you

If you believe you have Meniere’s disease, you should get evaluated. Treatments for Meniere’s can sometimes slow down the advancement of your condition. More frequently, however, they reduce the effect that Meniere’s will have on your daily life.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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