Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is an unusual form of progressive inflammatory non-age-related sensorineural hearing loss and sometimes vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus. It occurs in both ears with cochlear and vestibular symptoms that progress over a period of weeks to months and affects hearing, abnormal feeling in head and inner ear and often balance function, in both ears. The classic presentation is with bilateral progressive sensorineural hearing loss leading on to severe deafness. Tinnitus abnormal sound(ringing, tinkling, buzzing, or other sounds in the ear) and intra-aural pressure may occur and feel, as well as dizziness or vertigo.
Causes
The cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown until now. Symptoms of Meniere’s disease appear to be the result of an abnormal amount of fluid (endolymph) in the inner and outer ear, but it isn’t clear what causes that to happen.
Factors that affect the fluid, which might contribute to Meniere’s disease, include:
- Improper fluid drainage, perhaps because of a blockage or anatomic abnormality
- Abnormal immune response
- Viral infection
- Genetic predisposition
Because no single cause has been identified, it’s likely that Meniere’s disease results from a combination of many factors.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Meniere’s disease include:
- Recurring episodes of vertigo. You have a spinning sensation that starts and non stops spontaneously or some times. Episodes of vertigo occur without warning and usually last 20 minutes to several hours, but not more than 24 hours. Severe vertigo can cause nausea.
- Hearing loss. Hearing loss in Meniere’s disease may come and go, particularly early stage on. Eventually, most people have some permanent hearing loss in some cases.
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus). Tinnitus is the perception of a ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling or hissing sound in your ear may feel.
- Feeling of fullness in the ear. People with Meniere’s disease often feel intra ear pressure in an affected ear (aural fullness).
After an episode, signs and symptoms improve and might disappear entirely for a while. Over time, the frequency of episodes may lessen.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of Meniere’s disease. These problems can be caused by other illnesses, and it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible.
