Vertigo and Meniere’s disease are both conditions that affect the inner ear and can cause dizziness and balance issues. However, there are key differences between the two that set them apart.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs even when you are not moving. It is often described as feeling like the room is spinning around you. Vertigo can be caused by various factors such as inner ear problems, vestibular migraines, or even certain medications. The most common type of vertigo is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which occurs when tiny calcium particles in the inner ear become dislodged and disrupt normal balance.
Long-term, it can lead to low-frequency hearing loss (male voices, thunder, etc, are harder to hear), though any pitch can be affected. Over time, the dizziness may improve but hearing loss may get worse or become permanent. One treatment for controlling symptoms is called a Meniett device. While the device itself does not need to be surgically installed, it requires a tympanostomy (ventilation) tube in order to work.
Meniere’s Disease
Rarely, people also experience diplacusis, known as “double hearing.” Because you can’t diagnose these conditions at home, it’s important to get medical treatment. The sooner you get treatment the more likely you are to recover without permanent damage. When the ear is inflamed, you may struggle to hear, especially higher-pitched sounds. These changes are usually temporary, especially if you get prompt treatment.
Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear. The exact cause of Meniere’s disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear. Meniere’s disease typically affects only one ear and can lead to progressive hearing loss over time.
If you experience these feelings please talk to your healthcare provider. It can also be helpful to talk and interact with other people who are suffering from this disease. Some medications can be used to prevent attacks or at least reduce their frequency. These include dyazide (Triamterene/HCTZ), Klonopin, and diazepam (Valium). A problem with fluid in the inner ear is thought to cause Meniere’s disease. If this occurs, your doctor may prescribe a diuretic to help reduce the amount of fluid in your body.
Distinguishing Factors
Out of the group of 327, a new or amended diagnosis was given to 54%, and new treatment advice to 62%. The main feature is intermittent attacks of vertigo which can last from a few minutes to hours. During the attack there is a variable amount of hearing loss along with a sensation of fullness in the affected ear. It doesn’t, which is the primary way to know it’s not Meniere’s or labyrinthitis, because both of those conditions affect hearing.
Despite the increasing number of studies related to VM, most reports have focused on the characteristics of the disease, including the results of neurological tests (3–5). Treatment and prognosis related to vestibular abnormalities have not yet been fully documented. It is important to understand the prognostic factors to predict the disease course, properly counsel patients with VM, and conduct appropriate therapeutic planning.
In most cases, Meniere’s disease affects only one of the ears. Though the condition can occur at any age, it most often sets in between young and middle-aged adulthood. Meniere’s disease occurs in the inner ear, and most commonly leads to feelings of dizziness, but can also cause hearing loss, as well. Typically, this chronic condition, one that usually manifests during adulthood (though it can occur at any age), will affect just one ear vs. both ears. Ménière’s disease causes damage to the hair cell receptors in the inner ear.
One of the main differences between vertigo and Meniere’s disease is that vertigo can be a symptom of various underlying conditions, while Meniere’s disease is a specific disorder of the inner ear. Additionally, Meniere’s disease is characterized by specific symptoms such as tinnitus and hearing loss, which are not always present in cases of vertigo. Treatment for vertigo may involve maneuvers to reposition the dislodged calcium particles in the inner ear, while treatment for Meniere’s disease may include dietary changes, medication, or even surgery in severe cases.
Both are incredibly uncomfortable, but their symptoms are distinct. The results of V-HIT, and posturography did not influence the treatment outcome. Two of the subjects in GR group had significantly bad resus of posturography as we can see the large standard deviation in the Figure 5. These two subjects were exceptionally good prognosis with but bad c-and o-VEMP results. In the supine position, the participants were asked to raise their heads to contract their SCM.
