Your Evaluation for Meniere's Disease

To get a clear picture of what you're feeling, your doctor will ask you questions. Be as detailed as you can about your vertigo attacks - when they happen, what they're like, how long they last, and how you feel before and after them. Describe how you feel between attacks. Also mention and other medical problems you have or have had in the past, such as headaches, stroke, head injury, or ear infection. Be sure to tell your doctor if you're taking any medications.

During your examination, your doctor will look into your ears for signs of infection or other problems. The function of the nerves on your face and head may be checked. Your coordination may also be tested. Your doctor may use a tuning fork to check your hearing.

During your physical exam, you may be asked to stand, walk, turn, and move in ways that help your doctor assess your balance. Also, a test called electronystagmogram (ENG) may be done. During ENG, your ear is filled with warm and cold water or air, and the position of your head may be changed. The movement of your eyes during this test tells your doctor how well the balance canals in your ears are working. It's normal to feel dizzy during ENG.

To evaluate how well you hear and to monitor changes in your hearing over time, your hearing will be tested. This may be done by an audiologist, a health professional specializing in hearing evaluation. These tests are usually given in a soundproof room, using electronic equipment. You signal when you hear tones and sounds that come through earphones. These tests tell the audiologist which tones, sounds, and words you can and cannot hear.

Other tests that you may have include the following:

• Tests may be done to rule out tumors or other problems that may have caused your symptoms. These tests include auditory brainstem response (ABR) , which uses electrodes to record how well sound signals travel along the hearing nerve to the brain. They may also include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses a strong magnet to create images of the head.
• Electrocochleography (ECoG) measures changes in electrical activity in the inner ear, which sometimes occur in people with Meniere's. During ECoG sound waves are sent to the inner ear and electrodes record the inner ear's response.
• Blood tests and allergy tests may be done to rule out problems that could cause symptoms similar to Meniere's disease. These include infection, allergies, endocrine disorders (such as diabetes and thyroid problems), and conditions (such as lupus) that affect the immune system.

Once your disease has been diagnosed, your doctor will recommend a plan to manage your symptoms. This plan may include diet or other lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.