Meniere's Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Meniere's Disease?
An otolaryngologist, also called an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, most often diagnoses and treats Meniere's disease. Some people also work with a physical therapist on balance exercises. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is Meniere's disease?
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear. It causes severe dizziness called vertigo, ringing in the ears called tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness or congestion in the ear.
It usually affects only one ear. In 15% to 25% of people with the disorder, both ears may be affected.
It can develop at any age, but it is more likely in adults between 40 and 60 years of age. It is rare in children younger than 18.
Symptoms
Meniere's disease has four main symptoms:
- Vertigo, the feeling that you or the world is spinning.
- Hearing loss that changes over time. Low-pitched sounds are lost first.
- Ringing or roaring in the ear, called tinnitus.
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear.
Attacks of dizziness may come on suddenly or after a short time of tinnitus or muffled hearing. Some people have single attacks far apart. Others have many attacks close together over several days.
Nausea, vomiting, and sweating often occur during an attack. Some people have vertigo so strong that they lose their balance and fall. These are called drop attacks.
Hearing tends to improve between attacks, but it gets worse over time.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause is not known. Symptoms are linked to a buildup of fluid called endolymph in part of the inner ear. This disrupts the signals for balance and hearing that travel to the brain.
Researchers have several theories. These include narrowed blood vessels, viral infections, allergies, autoimmune reactions, and genes.
It may be related to a head injury or an ear infection. Other risk factors include allergies, family history, a recent cold or viral illness, alcohol use, smoking, stress, and use of certain medicines.
How doctors diagnose it
No single test or symptom can confirm Meniere's disease. Doctors start with your medical history. They may suggest a hearing test to look for hearing loss.
A brain MRI or CT scan may be done to rule out other diseases.
Balance tests such as videonystagmography (VNG) may also be used to check for other causes of vertigo.
A diagnosis of definite Meniere's disease needs two or more spontaneous episodes of vertigo lasting 20 minutes to 12 hours. It also needs hearing loss on a hearing test and other ear symptoms, such as tinnitus or fullness. Another balance condition must not explain the symptoms.
Treatment
There is no cure yet. Treatment can help relieve symptoms.
- Less salt in the diet and a water pill, called a diuretic, may help control symptoms. Quitting smoking may also reduce symptoms.
- Prescription medicines can ease dizziness and shorten an attack, especially when taken soon after the dizziness starts.
- Anti-nausea medicines can ease nausea and vomiting.
- Vestibular rehabilitation or physical therapy can help with long-lasting balance problems.
- A hearing aid can help if you have hearing loss.
- A device that sends small pressure pulses through the ear canal to the middle ear may reduce dizziness.
- Steroid shots into the middle ear often reduce dizziness and have little to no risk of hearing loss. Shots of the antibiotic gentamicin help control vertigo but raise the risk of hearing loss.
- Surgery may be considered when other treatments have failed. One option relieves pressure on a part of the inner ear called the endolymphatic sac. Another, used less often, cuts the vestibular nerve.
There is no evidence that acupuncture, acupressure, or herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba work for Meniere's disease. Tell your doctor about any alternative therapy you use.
During an attack, rest and stay still. Avoid sudden movements, bright lights, TV, and reading. Do not drive, use heavy machinery, or climb until 1 week after your symptoms go away.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you have hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or dizziness, or if these symptoms get worse.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if dizziness comes with sudden weakness, a change in vision, trouble speaking, chest pain, fainting, or confusion. Also call if you have severe vomiting that will not stop.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can listen to your symptoms, check for other causes of dizziness, and refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor. They can also help with follow-up and with coordinating your care.
Common questions
Is there a cure for Meniere's disease?
No, there is no cure yet. Treatment can help relieve symptoms, and the disease can often be controlled with treatment.
Does Meniere's disease cause hearing loss?
Yes, it can. Hearing tends to improve between attacks, but it gets worse over time.
Does Meniere's disease affect both ears?
Usually not. It usually affects only one ear, but in 15% to 25% of people with the disorder, both ears may be affected.
Can diet help with Meniere's disease?
It may. Limiting salt and taking a water pill may help control symptoms.
Sources
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) - Ménière’s Disease
- MedlinePlus - Ménière disease
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
