Print OverviewMeniere's disease is an inner ear problem that can cause dizzy spells, also called vertigo, and hearing loss. Most of the time, Meniere's disease affects only one ear. Meniere's disease can happen at any age. But it usually starts between the ages of 40 to 60. It's thought to be a lifelong condition. But some treatments can help ease symptoms and lessen how it affects your life long term.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookA Book: Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsSymptoms of Meniere's disease include: Regular dizzy spells. You have a spinning feeling that starts and stops suddenly. Vertigo may start without warning. It usually lasts 20 minutes to 12 hours, but not more than 24 hours. Serious vertigo can cause nausea. Hearing loss. Hearing loss in Meniere's disease may come and go, especially early on. Over time, hearing loss can be long-lasting and not get better. Ringing in the ear. Ringing in the ear is called tinnitus. Tinnitus is the term for when you have a ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling or hissing sound in your ear. Feeling of fullness in the ear. People with Meniere's disease often feel pressure in the ear. This is called aural fullness. After a vertigo attack, symptoms get better and might go away for a while. Over time, how many vertigo attacks you have may lessen. When to see a doctorSee your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of Meniere's disease. Other illnesses can cause these problems. So, it's important to find out what's causing your symptoms as soon as possible. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. 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You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Causes Inner ear and balance Enlarge image Close Inner ear and balance Inner ear and balance Semicircular canals and otolith organs — called the utricle and saccule — in your inner ear contain fluid and fine, hairlike sensors. These sensory hair cells help you keep your eyes focused on a target when your head is in motion. They also help you keep your balance. The cause of Meniere's disease isn't known. Symptoms of Meniere's disease may be due to extra fluid in the inner ear called endolymph. But it isn't clear what causes this fluid to build up in the inner ear. Issues that affect the fluid, which might lead to Meniere's disease, include: Poor fluid drainage. This may be due to a blockage or irregular ear shape. Autoimmune disorders. Viral infection. Genetics. Because no single cause has been found, Meniere's disease likely has a combination of causes. Risk factorsMeniere's disease is most common in people ages 40 to 60. Females may have a slightly higher risk than men. You may have a higher chance of getting Meniere's disease if someone in your family has had the condition. You may have a higher risk of Meniere's disease if you have an autoimmune disorder. ComplicationsThe most difficult complications of Meniere's disease can be: Unexpected vertigo attacks. Possibly losing your hearing long term. The disease can happen at any time. This can cause worry and stress. Vertigo can cause you to lose balance. This can increase your risk of falls and accidents. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Jan. 03, 2024 Print Show references Ferri FF. Ménière disease. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 7, 2022. Dinces EA, et al. Meniere disease: Evaluation, diagnosis, and management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Sept. 6, 2022. Ménière's disease. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/menieres-disease/. Accessed Sept. 6, 2022. Ménière's disease. Vestibular Disorders Association. https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/types-of-vestibular-disorders/menieres-disease. Accessed Sept. 6, 2022. Ménière's disease. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/menieres-disease. Accessed Sept. 6, 2022. Tests for diagnosing vestibular disorders. Vestibular Disorders Association. https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/diagnosis. Accessed Sept. 6, 2022. Clinical practice guideline: Ménière's disease. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32267799/. Accessed Sept. 6, 2022. AskMayoExpert. Vertigo and vestibular disorders (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2021. Moskowitz HS, et al. Meniere disease: Evaluation, diagnosis, and management. https://www.uptodate.com/content/home. Accessed Dec. 5, 2023. Elsevier Point of Care. Clinical overview: Meniere disease. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 5, 2023. Related Associated Procedures CT scan MRI Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book A Book: Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Meniere's diseaseSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry