Meniere's Disease Meniere's disease, maybe you've heard of it, maybe you have it, but what is it? A disease of the inner ear, Meniere's specifically affects the snail-looking structure called the cochlea (the blue structure in the figure below). The cochlea plays a large role in our balance and transmitting sound into electrical signals the brain can understand. Meniere's affects roughly 600 people out of every 100,000; 80% of which only have it in 1 ear. Although, it can eventually move to the other ear. Yet even with so many people having it, there is still much unknown about this disease. Causes As mentioned above, we still don't know much about Meniere's, especially what causes it. Professionals suggest there are 4 possible causes: A build-up of endolymphatic fluid (fluid of the inner ear that creates the electrical signals) An autoimmune disease A viral infection Genetics Or a combination of the above Although we aren't certain, there are theories that support each of these possible causes. Symptoms Because of the organ it affects, the cochlea, Meniere's has 3 very distinct symptoms that appear in unpredictable episodes. Episodic hearing loss - usually with a low-frequency loss Vertigo Roaring Tinnitus Sometimes also accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the ear These symptoms can occur together or separately. Episodes of Meniere's can last for a few hours, days, or months and seem to happen at random. Although, some individuals with Meniere's can feel an episode coming on. Treatment The treatment protocol for each patient...