Ménière’s Disease In Mesa: A Hearing Loss Disease

Some people think that hearing loss is caused by loud music or physical trauma to the ear. However, for some individuals experiencing hearing loss, the cause is more deeply rooted – caused by a disease the individual may have. For some 615,000 individuals, the problem is a diagnosable condition called Ménière’s disease.

What is Ménière’s disease?
Ménière’s disease is a disorder that affects the inner ear, typically only in one ear. Symptoms include severe vertigo, a ringing in the ear (known as tinnitus), and a feeling of congestion in the ear. Some individuals will encounter dizzy spells shortly after muffled hearing or tinnitus and the spells can occur individually or in a series of attacks over several days.

What causes symptoms of this disease?
The symptoms of Ménière’s disease are caused by a buildup of fluid within the inner ear. The affected area consists of two sections: the membranous labyrinth and the bony labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth is filled with a fluid known as endolymph that stimulates receptors in the balance organs of the ear, including the cochlea that interprets sound. When a buildup occurs the ear cannot properly communicate with the brain to relay information regarding movement or sound, preventing hearing and causing vertigo.

No one knows for sure what causes this disease but theorists believe it could be a constriction of blood vessels or an autoimmune reaction to allergies or a viral infection. Others suggest genetic abnormalities resulting in variations in volume or regulation of endolymph fluid since the disease tends to run in families.

How is Ménière’s disease treated?
There are a number of treatment methods for patients who suffer from Ménière’s disease in Mesa. First and foremost, it’s important to regulate the individual’s diet. Salt intake should be limited to reduce fluid retention. Some individuals have reported that chocolate, alcohol, smoking, and caffeine have exacerbated symptoms so consumption should be reduced or eliminated.

Additionally, Dr. Fynes may prescribe medications to combat dizziness. Cognitive therapy has been found to assist with the anxiety that is often associated with this disease. A corticosteroid injection into the middle ear may also reduce vertigo. Recently the FDA approved a device designed to fit into the outer ear that delivers intermittent air pressure pulses to the middle ear, affecting the endolymph fluid and preventing dizziness. If all other solutions are unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended to reduce the pressure on the endolymphatic sac.

What can I expect if I have Ménière’s disease?
Approximately 60 percent of individuals with Ménière’s disease are able to get better on their own or they can control their vertigo through the use of drugs, diet management, and devices. Some patients will need to undergo surgery to find any relief, but this number is small. More research is being conducted on this disease. Doctors and scientists are exploring new drugs and devices like a microfluid pump that could deliver medication directly to the inner ear. Additionally, these specialists are researching endolymph further to have a better understanding of its levels and the effect within the inner ear.

The disorder can typically be easily treated through an audiologist. If you have any questions about Ménière’s disease contact Dr. Fynes of Fynes Audiology in Mesa today.