Ménière’s Disease 

at Allergy & ENT Associates of Middle TN

Ménière’s disease is an inner ear disorder that causes fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and fullness or pressure in the ear. It is associated with excess fluid in the inner ear. While there is no cure for Ménière’s disease, a variety of treatment strategies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

What Ménière’s Disease Can Affect

Ménière’s disease can impact hearing and balance and may lead to:

• Fluctuating hearing loss



• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

• Episodes of vertigo

• Fullness or pressure in the ear

• Balance disruption and fatigue

Because symptoms may worsen over time, evaluation and treatment planning are important.

What Causes Ménière’s Disease?

The exact cause of Ménière’s disease is unknown. It is believed to be related to dysfunction of the endolymphatic sac, an organ responsible for regulating the volume and pressure of fluid in the inner ear.

Possible contributing factors may include:

• Circulation disorders

• Viral infections

• Head trauma

• Allergies

• Migraines



• Obstructions of the ear canal

Ménière’s disease affects approximately one out of every 1,000 people, with most patients between the ages of 40 and 60.

Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease

Ménière’s disease often causes progressive attacks that may begin with warning signs, including:

• Loss of balance

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Increased hearing loss and/or tinnitus



• Sensitivity to noise

• Pressure in the ear

During an attack, patients may experience:

• Severe episodes of vertigo

• Fluctuating hearing loss

• Fullness in the ear

• Tinnitus

These symptoms may be accompanied by anxiety, blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, trembling, rapid pulse, and diarrhea.

After an attack, exhaustion often follows and may lead to an increased need for sleep. Attacks can last as little as 20 minutes or as long as 24 hours. Frequency is unpredictable—episodes may occur several times per week or only once every few years. Due to the unpredictable nature of Ménière’s disease, it is difficult to determine how significantly it may affect daily life.

Treatment Options for Ménière’s Disease

Because Ménière’s symptoms can resemble those of other conditions, diagnostic testing is required. Hearing and balance tests help confirm the diagnosis. An audiogram often shows hearing loss in the low tones, which is a key indicator of Ménière’s disease. In some cases, imaging scans or blood tests may be ordered.

Medical treatment options may include:

• Motion sickness medications

• Anti-nausea medications

• Diuretics

• An antibiotic called Gentamycin



• Oral or injectable steroids

These medications, combined with a low-sodium diet, may help prevent dizziness or reduce the severity of attacks.

Additional lifestyle recommendations may include:

• Limiting caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, and monosodium glutamate

• Drinking six to eight glasses of water per day

• Quitting smoking

• Avoiding allergens

• Reducing stress and anxiety

If medication does not fully resolve symptoms, vestibular physical therapy may be recommended to improve balance.

For individuals who experience severe attacks and do not find relief through other treatment options, surgery may be considered. Surgical procedures that may be effective include:

• Endolymphatic sac procedure to drain fluid from the inner ear

• Vestibular nerve section to cut the nerve connecting the ear and brain to eliminate dizziness while preserving hearing
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Call Allergy & ENT Associates at (615) 889-8802 to learn more or schedule an appointment.