Meniere's DiseaseMénière's disease is an abnormality of the
inner ear causing a host of symptoms, including vertigo or
severe dizziness, tinnitus or a roaring sound in the ears,
fluctuating hearing loss, and the sensation of pressure or pain
in the affected ear. The disorder usually affects only one ear
and is a common cause of hearing loss. Named after French
physician Prosper Ménière who first described the syndrome in
1861. What causes Ménière's disease? The symptoms of Ménière's
disease are associated with a change in fluid volume within a
portion of the inner ear known as the labyrinth. The labyrinth
has two parts: the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth.
The membranous labyrinth, which is encased by bone, is necessary
for hearing and balance and is filled with a fluid called
endolymph. When your head moves, endolymph moves, causing nerve
receptors in the membranous labyrinth to send signals to the
brain about the body's motion. An increase in endolymph,
however, can cause the membranous labyrint