Meniere’s Disease
Relief for ringing ears and unpredictable hearing changes.
Living with Meniere’s disease can feel overwhelming. One moment you’re fine — the next, the world is spinning, your hearing feels muffled, and there’s a ringing in your ears that just won’t go away. These episodes can come out of nowhere and make it hard to work, drive, or enjoy daily life.
At Head & Neck Surgery of Kansas City, we understand how disruptive Meniere’s can be. Our team is here to help you better understand your condition, manage symptoms, and regain a sense of stability — using the most current and effective treatment options available.
If you’re experiencing frequent vertigo, changes in your hearing, or ear pressure, schedule an appointment today. We’re here to help you find relief and move forward with confidence.
Common Symptoms
Meniere’s disease often affects one ear and may come and go without warning. Common symptoms include:
- Vertigo or spinning sensations that may last minutes to hours
- Fluctuating hearing loss, often in one ear
- Tinnitus or ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the affected ear
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Nausea or vomiting during vertigo episodes
- Fatigue or anxiety caused by the unpredictability of symptoms
How We Diagnose
There’s no single test for Meniere’s disease, so seeing a specialist to find care is important. Diagnosis is based on your symptoms, medical history, and a thorough evaluation, which may include:
- Hearing tests to identify patterns of hearing loss typical of Meniere’s
- MRI or CT imaging to rule out other possible causes
- Physical exam and detailed discussion of your symptom patterns
- Bloodwork or allergy testing if we suspect contributing factors
Meniere’s can be tricky to pin down — but with careful evaluation, we can help you get clarity and a plan.
Treatment Options
While there’s no cure for Meniere’s disease, there are many ways to reduce symptoms, minimize flare-ups, and improve your quality of life. Depending on your needs, we may recommend:
- Medications to reduce nausea, or help prevent future attacks
- Diuretics to help reduce inner ear pressure and fluid retention
- Hearing aids to support hearing loss and improve sound clarity
- Injections or surgical options for severe cases that don’t respond to more conservative treatments
- Lifestyle and dietary changes, such as reducing salt and caffeine to help control fluid buildup in the inner ear
Treatment is highly individualized — we’ll work with you to find an approach that fits your symptoms, goals, and day-to-day life.
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to involve abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear. Stress, diet, and other health conditions may contribute.
It’s a chronic condition, but symptoms can often be managed well with a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and support.
Meniere’s usually starts in one ear, but in rare cases it can eventually affect both.
There’s no cure, but many people find meaningful relief and fewer attacks with proper management.
We help you build a plan that includes both immediate symptom relief and long-term strategies — so you’re not caught off guard when symptoms appear.
Find Relief for Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease can feel like it’s running your life, but it doesn’t have to. Head & Neck Surgery of Kansas City is here to help you manage symptoms and move forward with confidence. Schedule an appointment today.