 A disease of the inner ear
Meniere’s disease is a condition in which there is an excess of fluid in the inner ear. The excess fluid disturbs the ear’s balance and hearing mechanisms and produces a range of symptoms:
- vertigo (a form of dizziness where your surroundings appear to spin)
- tinnitus (an abnormal ringing noise inside the ear)
- fluctuating hearing loss
- a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear due to fluid build-up
Attacks of vertigo usually occur in clusters with varying periods of remission (from days to years) between attacks. Vertigo attacks can occur without any warning and you cannot predict how severe the vertigo will be or how long it will last.
Tinnitus, distorted hearing and pressure in the ear often occur in conjunction with the vertigo. In the early stages of the condition, hearing returns to normal levels following an attack, but as the disease progresses measurable and permanent hearing loss occurs.
Estimates vary but around 90% of people with Ménière’s have the disease in only one ear when first diagnosed. Around 40% of these will go on to develop the disease in both ears.
 Who gets Meniere’s?
Meniere’s disease affects one in every 1000 Australians. The condition is most commonly found in adults who are in their thirties or older.
Treatment
Currently there is no known medical cure for Meniere’s. The condition can however be managed to some degree through medication, diet, stress reduction, exercise programs, natural therapies and as a last resort, surgery.
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Last reviewed March 2008
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