What is Meniere’s disease?

St. Joseph’s/Candler audiologists explain this hearing and balance disorder

There’s a reason we have fluid in our inner ears. It keeps hearing and balance in order. However, too much fluid can disrupt our hearing and balance systems.

One such condition that can result from too much fluid in the inner ear is Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that affects the hearing and balance system, resulting in fluctuating hearing loss and attacks of vertigo.

The inner ear is filled with fluid that bathes the sensory receptors for hearing and balance, explains Shea Stromberg, Au.D., CCC-A, clinical audiologist with the St. Joseph’s/Candler Center for Oto-Neurology. In healthy ears, the fluid level is constant; however, in cases of Meniere’s disease, the fluid level increases which disrupts the hearing and balance sensors. This typically results in:

• Low pitched tinnitus described as a roar of the ocean
• Hearing loss, typically beginning with low pitches, that returns between attacks but eventually will develop into permanent loss with repeated attacks
• Attacks of vertigo, or a spinning feeling, lasting 20 minutes to several hours causing nausea, vomiting and involuntary back and forth eye movements called nystagums
• Fullness/pressure in the affected ear

“When the system heals, the vertigo subsides, the tinnitus and hearing improve and the fullness resolves,” Stromberg says. “Unfortunately, repeated attacks may result in permanent damage to the hearing and balance system.”

Attacks of Meniere’s disease may occur several times in a month with long periods between attacks. The exact cause and reason why Meniere’s disease develops is not yet known, says Renee Montaudo, Au.D., CCC-A, clinical audiologist with the St. Joseph’s/Candler Center for Oto-Neurology.

Research proposes the disease occurs due to circulation problems, viral infections, allergies, an autoimmune reaction, migraines or even a genetic connection. Researchers know that certain triggers may cause Meniere’s symptoms such as salt, caffeine, processed cheese, foods with nitrates and alcohol.

Meniere’s disease is rare with about 200,000 cases reported each year in the United States. However, because of the risk of hearing loss and quality of life due to balance disorders, it’s important to talk to your physician, an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist or an audiologist if you experience any symptoms of Meniere’s disease.

“Meniere’s disease can develop in anyone at any age,” Montaudo says, “but it is more likely to happen in adults between 40 and 60 years of age.”

Related Article: Five things to know about adult hearing loss

At St. Joseph’s/Candler Center for Oto-Neurology, our audiologists can perform specialized tests if Meniere’s disease is suspected. Hearing tests can show variable patterns of hearing loss. Other tests, such as VNG (videonystagmography) and VEMP (vestibular evoked myogenic potential), assess the balance system for functional abnormalities in the affected ear. The results of the tests, coupled with a thorough case history of symptoms, help your physician make an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective medical treatment program, Stromberg says.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for Meniere’s disease. Symptoms can be managed by an ENT specialist. The most conservative long-term treatment for Meniere’s disease involves a reduced-sodium diet and diuretics, a medication that helps control water retention in the body, Stromberg says. The goal of this treatment, Stromberg says, is to reduce inner ear fluid pressure.

There is a more aggressive treatment that injects a medication into the inner ear, primarily destroying the balance receptors, which resolves attacks of vertigo. Vestibular and balance rehabilitation therapy is typically necessary to relearn how to balance following this treatment option, Stromberg says.

Related Article: How physical therapy is treating vestibular disorders

Audiologists can help manage any hearing loss associated with Meniere’s disease with the selection and programming of hearing aids, Montaudo adds. Audiologists can create several different listening programs within the hearing aids to accommodate the fluctuating hearing loss characteristic of Meniere’s disease.

“If you are concerned about Meniere’s disease, you should discuss your concerns with your physician so he or she may refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat physician for further evaluation,” Montaudo advises.

Learn more about the Center for Oto-Neurology.