Meniers Disease is a balance disorder in the inner ear. Its symptoms make life difficult: loss of balance, tinnitus, vertigo (more like seasickness and not a fear of heights see below). You may have deafness on top. It may also result in anxiety and depression. Hard of Hearing Community focuses on what can be done to help through information-gathering and discussion.
You can have a balance disorder without being diagnosed as having Meniers disease. If you have balance problems you are apt to suddenly swing one leg out, hold your arms out horizontally or grab the nearest solid object for balance. It is an extreme of feeling seasick. A sudden balance problem should always be checked out your GP to rule out easy-to-treat ailments like blood pressure and stress.
Balance disorders are often mentioned in the same breath as Meniers Disease yet Consultants are now deciding that often patients do not have Meniers and they are looking at other causes and at better treatments.
Thirty years ago the way of getting rid of Meniers and its associated balance disorder was to operate on the semi-circular discs that control balance. There are three. One controls up and down movement, one controls sideways movement and the other controls movement forwards and backwards. The complexity of the operation and tiny area they had to work in meant that all hearing in that ear would be destroyed along with the Meniers disease. That belief still prevails yet it has also been found that Meniers can 'travel' to the other ear. That operation is an old thought. There is no longer any need to even have a suggestion of ruining the hearing. If a little knowledge is dangerous, so is the widely-held belief that all operations work all of the time. As every person is slightly different, the outcome cannot be predicted with any certainty. Often it is only when surgeons open up the body to see the problem that they can make a decision. If the operation is recommended,you could consider asking for a second opinion elsewhere just for reassurance. The person who operates, only knows as much as his training and his beliefs and his experience but it is your body.and your decision.
It used to be thought that balance disorders were mainly caused by infectious diseases. Now thoughts are turning to hereditary conditions passed on through your genes, a degenerative disorder or something traumatic that has happened to you. The good news is that some balance disorders can be resolved. See our article on ‘Hearing Pioneers are Crazy' for other stories. We emphasise that some people find it works for them. We take no liability; we are information-gatherers so that you can find out as much as possible before taking any action.