Hearing Loss & Vertigo: All About Meniere’s Disease
Named after the 19th century French doctor who first studied it, Meniere’s disease is a disease of the inner ear. Typically, only one ear is affected, and symptoms include hearing loss, episodes of dizziness or vertigo, tinnitus (ringing or roaring sounds), and a feeling of pressure or pain in the ear.
If you suspect you might have Meniere’s disease, it is important to seek treatment.
Who Is Most at Risk of Meniere’s?
Meniere’s has affected people of all ages, though it strikes people in their 40s and 50s much more frequently than those in other age groups. While Meniere’s is a chronic condition with no “cure,” there are treatments available that can minimize the effects the disease will have on a person’s life, and some people have been known to experience long-term remission.
What Causes Meniere’s?
There is no exact cause of Meniere’s, but a number of conditions or activities may lead to the development of the disease. In essence, Meniere’s is an excess of a fluid found in the inner ear known as “endolymph.” This fluid is always present inside the cochlea and is crucial to the ear’s ability to hear, but some conditions might lead to an excess amount of this fluid, which builds a painful amount of pressure and causes the other symptoms of Meniere’s.
Some associated causes or conditions that can lead to Meniere’s include:
- Viral infections
- Respiratory illnesses or ear infections
- Genetics
- Head injuries
- Side effect of some medications
- Stress, anxiety or fatigue
- Migraines or allergies
- Smoking or drinking alcohol
- Autoimmune response
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history to see if any of these things may have caused or aggravated your condition.
Meniere’s Symptoms
The four main symptoms of Meniere’s disease include:
- Feeling of pressure or pain in the ear
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Tinnitus
- Muffled hearing and/or hearing loss
Most often these symptoms will occur in only one ear, and they will come on suddenly, last for a while, and then subside for a while. Meniere’s can be difficult to diagnose because all of its symptoms can be indicative of other health problems.
To diagnose Meniere’s all four symptoms must occur more than once; it is the recurring nature of the four symptoms in concert that defines Meniere’s. Some people may experience them differently; some may have multiple attacks in a short period of time, whereas others may have an attack only once in a while. Both of these frequencies would still be considered Meniere’s, since the cause of the attacks in both cases could be identified as an excess of fluid in the inner ear.
Most people will first experience the feeling that their ear is pressurized. Symptoms will then move on to tinnitus, hearing loss, then vertigo. For each attack, symptoms might last anywhere from 20 minutes to 4 hours. Usually, attacks will happen in clusters spanning a few weeks with long periods of remission, and many people report that part of the trouble with Meniere’s is not knowing when the next attack will come.
During an episode, the best thing to do is lie down and focus your eyes on one non-moving object. Many people report feeling better after a nap.
Recommendations
Trying to reduce fluid buildup and inflammation is the primary recommendation for those suffering from Meniere’s. This can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Typical ways a person might alter their lifestyle to reduce the effects of Meniere’s include:
- Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet
- Reduce salt intake
- Reduce caffeine intake
- Quit smoking and drinking alcohol
- Manage stress
Stages of Meniere’s
Meniere’s is a progressive disease, with slightly different effects as time passes.
In the early stages, vertigo tends to be more pronounced, lasting from 20 minutes to a full day. Hearing loss will typically accompany an episode, but go away once the episode ends. The middle stage will see vertigo becoming less severe, but hearing loss and tinnitus may get worse. Many people also report going months without an episode in the middle stage.
In the late stage of Meniere’s, vertigo becomes infrequent and may subside permanently, though hearing loss and tinnitus tend to become more problematic, and balancing upright can be a regular issue. People may feel unstable in low light, or be prone to falling down more frequently.
Maintaining Your Hearing Health
Your hearing health is an important part of your overall health and well-being! If you have noticed changes in how you hear, it is important to seek treatment. FitHearing Audiological Network offers expert hearing care at many convenient locations. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help support your hearing health.
