Hearing loss and tinnitus in Meniereʹs disease

Objectives: To characterize hearing loss, tinnitus and associative factors in Meniereʹs disease. Methods: From our vertigo database consisting of 1356 patients, we retrieved 243 patients with Meniereʹs disease (MD). Results: Hearing loss was the initial symptom in 13% of cases. Altogether 64% (n=133) of the patients stated that their hearing was reduced during the vertigo attack. The hearing deteriorated more likely during the vertigo attack if the vertigo attack was very intense [r(206)=0.19]. Tinnitus was the initial symptom in 5% of cases. The tinnitus was mild in 38% (n=90), moderate in 32% (n=76) and severe in 30% (n=72) of patients. The intensity of tinnitus correlated with the occurrence of drop attacks [r(237)=0.29], vertigo provoked by head positioning [r(235)=0.25], by physical activity [r(230)=0.33], or by pressure changes [r(239)=0.27]. Conclusion: Prolonged disease causes deterioration of hearing. Intense tinnitus is common in MD and is more often seen in late stage of the disease.