What Is Meniere’s Disease?

Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear condition that typically affects one ear at first and is
associated with:

• Recurrent episodes of spinning vertigo (a sense that you or the room is moving)
• Fluctuating hearing loss, usually in the lower frequencies
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
• Tinnitus (ringing, roaring, or buzzing in the ear)

Many people describe Meniere’s episodes as “attacks” that can last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours,
followed by periods of relative calm. Over time, hearing in the affected ear can move from fluctuating to more
consistently reduced.

For an overview of tinnitus in general, you can also read
What Is Tinnitus? and
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss.

The Classic Symptom Cluster

While no two people are exactly alike, Meniere’s is often recognized by a pattern of symptoms:

These symptoms often occur together, but they can also change over the course of the condition. If you’re not sure
whether what you’re experiencing fits Meniere’s, a combination of medical and audiology evaluation can help.

How Meniere’s Disease Causes Tinnitus

In Meniere’s, tinnitus is usually a result of:

• Inner ear fluid changes: Pressure and fluid imbalance can alter how the inner ear sends sound
  information to the brain.
• Fluctuating hearing loss: As hearing shifts, the brain may “fill in” missing sound information
  with ringing, roaring, or buzzing.
• Heightened nervous system sensitivity: The stress of vertigo attacks and uncertainty can make
  tinnitus more noticeable and distressing.

Many patients describe Meniere’s-related tinnitus as:

• A low-frequency roaring or rushing sound
• Intermittent but intense ringing or buzzing, especially around episodes
• Often louder in the ear with hearing loss and fullness

If you’re trying to understand other tinnitus patterns you’ve noticed, explore
Types of Tinnitus Sounds and
Tinnitus in One Ear vs Both Ears.

How Meniere’s Disease Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis is typically made by an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist or neurotologist, with critical input from
detailed hearing tests. There isn’t a single “Meniere’s test,” so providers look at a combination of:

For a general overview of what a tinnitus-focused visit looks like, read
What to Expect at Your Tinnitus Appointment.

Treatment Approaches & Tinnitus Management

Meniere’s disease is usually managed rather than “cured.” Treatment plans are tailored to you and may include:

• Medical strategies guided by your ENT or physician, such as:
  • Dietary adjustments (often lower sodium) and fluid management
  • Medications to reduce vertigo episodes or manage nausea
  • Injections or, in some cases, surgical procedures in more severe or persistent cases
• Hearing and tinnitus strategies guided by your audiologist:
  • Hearing aids for tinnitus and Meniere’s-related hearing loss, often
    with sound therapy features
  • Sound therapy and background sound to soften the contrast with
    tinnitus
  • Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) to support
    habituation
  • CBT-informed counseling and
    tinnitus anxiety management to reduce fear and distress
• Lifestyle and nervous system support:
  • Stress management and relaxation practices
    (see
    Best Relaxation Techniques for Tinnitus Relief
    )
  • Attention to diet, hydration, sleep, and movement
  • Protecting your ears from loud noise
    (see
    Simple Steps to Protect and Preserve Your Hearing
    )

Every case is different. Our role as audiologists is to help you optimize hearing and tinnitus
management while your medical team focuses on vertigo and inner ear health.

For a broader look at treatment tools, visit
Comprehensive Tinnitus Treatment Options and
Tinnitus Patient Success Stories.

Living with Meniere’s & Fluctuating Tinnitus

One of the hardest parts of Meniere’s is its unpredictability. On some days, you may feel fairly
stable; on others, vertigo, ear fullness, and tinnitus may suddenly flare.

Patients often find it helpful to:

• Keep a symptom diary noting vertigo episodes, tinnitus volume, diet, sleep, and stress levels
• Build a “tinnitus toolkit”—sound apps, relaxation techniques, and coping strategies for nights
  when tinnitus is louder
  (see Managing Tinnitus at Night and
  Best Tinnitus Relief Apps)
• Develop a flare-up plan with your providers so you know what to do when vertigo or tinnitus
  spikes
• Seek support from family, friends, and others who understand living with inner ear conditions
  (explore Bay Area Tinnitus Support Groups)
• Learn about tinnitus habituation—how the brain can gradually move tinnitus
  into the background, even when it doesn’t fully go away

Many people with Meniere’s reach a point where, with the right supports, life feels larger than their
diagnosis. Our goal is to help you get there.

When Symptoms Are Urgent

These symptoms do not always mean something dangerous is occurring, but they can overlap with conditions that need
prompt evaluation. When in doubt, err on the side of calling your doctor, an advice nurse, or emergency services.

For more context, see
When to See a Doctor About Tinnitus and
Sudden Tinnitus: Should I Go to the ER?.

Meniere’s Disease in Bay Area Patients

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we see Meniere’s across a wide range of patients—busy professionals, retirees,
parents, and students. Common themes include:

• High-stress jobs (tech, healthcare, education, finance) that magnify vertigo and tinnitus distress
• Commutes and urban noise that complicate balance issues and hearing challenges
• Multiple specialists involved—ENT, neurology, primary care, and sometimes mental health providers

Our clinics in San Mateo and
San Carlos regularly work with patients from across the Peninsula, San
Francisco, the East Bay, and the South Bay who are navigating Meniere’s and tinnitus together.

For more location-specific information, explore:

• Peninsula Tinnitus Treatment
• San Francisco Tinnitus Treatment
• East Bay – Oakland & Berkeley
• South Bay & San Jose Tinnitus Treatment

Next Steps with California Hearing Center

If you’ve been diagnosed with Meniere’s—or you suspect it may be playing a role in your vertigo and tinnitus—we
can help you:

• Document tinnitus and hearing changes over time
• Obtain comprehensive hearing tests and tinnitus assessment
• Coordinate with your ENT, neurologist, or primary care physician
• Explore hearing, sound therapy, and counseling options tailored to your symptoms

Before your visit, you may find it helpful to review:

• What to Expect at Your Tinnitus Appointment
• Tinnitus Severity Assessment
• Comprehensive Tinnitus Treatment Options
• Coping with Tinnitus Anxiety
• 
  Can Hearing Aids Help with Tinnitus? – Insights for Palo Alto Residents