Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of Meniere's disease include:

• Recurring episodes of vertigo. You have a spinning sensation that starts and stops spontaneously. 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 on. Eventually, most people have some permanent hearing loss.
• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus). Tinnitus is the perception of 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 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.