Meniere's Disease: Living with Vertigo, Tinnitus, and Hearing Loss
Meniere's disease is a chronic and often unpredictable inner ear condition that affects many people in New Zealand. Characterised by vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a sensation of fullness in the ear, this disorder can significantly impact daily life and emotional well-being. While there is currently no cure, there are ways to manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and regain a sense of control.
What is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease is often associated with an abnormal buildup of fluid in the inner ear system responsible for hearing and balance. However, its exact cause is unknown and is diagnosed through ruling out other causes for the symptoms. The most typical presentation of Meniere’s disease sees fluctuating hearing loss in one ear, a roaring whooshing sound (tinnitus) in the affected ear, and bouts of vertigo (the sensation that the world is spinning around you). It is possible, though very rare, for both ears to be affected.
Common Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
The symptoms of Meniere’s disease often come and go, which can make the condition difficult to predict and manage. Episodes or “attacks” of Meniere’s can last from 20 minutes to several hours.
Key symptoms include:
- Vertigo: A severe, spinning sensation that may cause nausea, vomiting, or imbalance.
- Tinnitus: Typically sounding like a roaring whooshing noise in the affected ear; ringing or buzzing is possible instead. Fluctuating Hearing Loss: Hearing in the affected ear may worsen during attacks and then recover, especially in the early stages.
- Aural Fullness: A feeling of pressure or fullness in the affected ear.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to loud sounds (hyperacusis)
- Anxiety or emotional distress during and after episodes
- Fatigue due to sleep disruption or constant symptom management
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of Meniere’s disease remains unclear, but possible contributors include:
- Abnormal fluid drainage in the inner ear
- Viral infections
- Autoimmune responses
- Genetic predisposition
- Head trauma
In some cases, a combination of these factors may be at play. Stress, fatigue, and certain dietary triggers (like high salt or caffeine intake) may worsen symptoms. For more information on suspected causes and current research, visit the New Zealand Ministry of Health.
Diagnosis: How Is Meniere’s Disease Diagnosed in NZ?
Diagnosis typically involves ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms. If you’re experiencing recurrent vertigo and changes in hearing, it’s important to seek a comprehensive audiological and medical assessment.
A typical diagnostic process may include:
- Hearing tests (audiometry): To confirm fluctuating hearing loss in the cochlea, especially the areas responsible for hearing low-pitched sounds.
- Vestibular assessments: Specialised assessments that assess the health of the sensory organs responsible for our balance system.
- MRI scans: To rule out other disorders such as acoustic neuroma which is a benign tumour that can interfere with the nerves responsible for balance and hearing.
- Symptom history: Detailed review of the frequency, duration, and pattern of the “attacks”.
Stages of Meniere’s
The typical presentation of Meniere’s occurs in three stages; however, it is not guaranteed that everyone will experience all three stages, though it is a common progression. In the early stages, symptoms are first noticed and tend to fluctuate the most, with vertigo and the roaring/buzzing tinnitus being most strongly felt.
This can then progress to a mid-stage where the “attacks” feel less intense, but the tinnitus may begin to worsen. Balance and coordination might become challenging at this stage.
At the final stage, the hearing loss in the affected ear stops fluctuating and becomes permanent; a sense of fullness in the ear may persist, and one’s balance may also be impaired. Typically, in the final stage, “attacks” become far less common or cease altogether.
Living with Meniere’s: Management and Coping Strategies
While there is no known cure, many people find symptom relief through a combination of lifestyle changes, medical management, and professional support.
Lifestyle Modifications
- Reduce salt intake: Helps regulate fluid balance in the inner ear.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol: Known to trigger episodes in some people.
- Stay hydrated: Drink water consistently throughout the day.
- Manage stress: Relaxation techniques, yoga, or counselling may help.
Medical Management
- Prescription medications: For acute vertigo (e.g., anti-nausea drugs, vestibular suppressants like betahistine).
- Diuretics: To help reduce inner ear fluid and prevent attacks.
- Steroid injections: Directly into the middle ear in some severe cases.
- Surgery: As a last resort in severe, unmanageable cases.
Support and Rehabilitation
- Vestibular physiotherapy: For balance issues and to help the brain adapt.
- Counselling or support groups: To manage emotional impact and isolation.
- Hearing aids or sound therapy: To treat the resulting hearing loss or tinnitus, particularly when the “attacks” have settled or become less regular.
For more local information, visit Healthify NZ, which provides NZ-specific health advice.
Meniere’s Disease in New Zealand: What to Consider
Living with a fluctuating, invisible condition like Meniere’s disease can be isolating and distressing. However, with proper support, many New Zealanders live full and active lives despite the challenges.
Consider the following:
- Talk to your audiologist about hearing support and tinnitus strategies.
- Ask your GP for a referral to a vestibular specialist or balance clinic if needed.
- Make use of publicly available resources such as:
FAQs About Meniere’s Disease
Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Meniere's Disease
Meniere’s disease is often associated with fluid build-up in the inner ear, disrupting the areas responsible for balance and hearing. It can cause sudden episodes of severe vertigo, tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, and a feeling of pressure in the ear. These symptoms can significantly impact daily life and mental well-being.
While exact figures are limited, Meniere’s disease affects hundreds of New Zealanders annually. Due to its variable symptoms, many individuals may go undiagnosed. Awareness is growing, and diagnostic and management services are increasingly available through primary care and specialist referrals in NZ.
There is currently no cure for Meniere’s disease. However, symptoms can often be effectively managed with a combination of medication, dietary and lifestyle changes, and audiological support. Some patients may experience periods of remission or notice an improvement in their symptoms over time.
In New Zealand, you can access support through your GP and audiologist, who can provide referrals to specialists. Vestibular rehabilitation services are available, and public health information portals like Health Navigator NZ offer resources. Additionally, community hearing support groups can provide valuable peer support.
Yes. Dietary modifications are often a key part of management. A low-sodium, low-caffeine diet is commonly recommended, as it may help reduce fluid retention in the inner ear, potentially decreasing the frequency and severity of Meniere's attacks.
I’m James, a Tassie-born audiologist who moved to Aotearoa six years ago and never looked back.
