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Meniere's disease - Symptom

Alternative Names

Hydrops; Endolymphatic hydrops

Symptoms:

Symptoms include:

Abnormal sensations of movement (vertigo)
- Gets worse with sudden movement
- Lasts for a few minuts to several hours
- May come and go
Dizziness
Hearing loss in one or both ears
- Low frequency noises lost first
- Extent of hearing loss may change
Noises or ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
Sudden episodes of complete disorientation that causes the person to fall down
Sweating (may be heavy)
Uncontrollable eye movements
Vomiting and nausea

The feeling of dizziness and being off balance generally come in attacks that last from minutes to hours. Other symptoms can last for longer.

Signs and tests:

A neurological examination may show problems with hearing, balance, or eye movement.

A procedure called caloric stimulation tests eye reflexes by warming and cooling the inner ear with water. Abnormal results on this test can be a sign of Meniere's disease.

Additional tests done to distinguish Meniere's disease from other causes of vertigo may include:

Evoked potential studies
Electronystagmography
Head CT scan or head MRI scan
Hearing tests (audiology/audiometry)

Ear anatomy

Tympanic membrane

Reviewed last on: 9/27/2008
Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Schessel DA, Minor LB, Nedzelski J. Meniere’s disease and other peripheral vestibular disorders. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Mosby Elsevier; 2005:chap 142.

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