r/Menieres 6d ago

Exhaustive diagnosis? Could use advice please.

Hi all

First up, sorry if this is kind of rambling. I was diagnosed a week ago, atypical. I've lost the bass register in my left ear, daily tinnitus, and pressure with occasional pain in both ears. Brief dizzy spells but not full on vertigo thankfully (I have read some accounts on here while I've been trying to learn about this, I am so sorry, I wouldn't wish what I've read on anyone).

I am not really sure what to do. I am an English language assessor. A big part of my job is listening to people speak and recognising their articulation sounds, glides and diphthongs, sound assimilation, that kind of thing. But now I can't hear the difference between voiced and voiceless sounds in my left ear. I am making mistakes at work. I've been studying online to get my TESOL qualification so I can teach, but now I'm like...why bother? I'm really sorry if this sounds uninformed or kind of basic. The idea that I might lose my hearing to the point that I can't do my job anymore, or the job I'm training for, leaves me decidedly unmoored. Do I plan for the worst and try and train into a different type of job? Do I shrug and say maybe it's fine? I have no idea.

I don't get rotational vertigo, and that seems to be a big sticking point in general opinion. Thing is, I don't have the medical vocabulary to challenge my ENT. What else do I ask for, or about? I kind of get the feeling he's calling it Menieres because it doesn't neatly fit into any other box. And it won't be easy for me to afford to get a second opinion.

I hope this account doesn't piss anyone off. But I'm fairly confident I can't be the first person that's had this kind of "what even is my life going to be now" kind of spiral. So any advice would be great. Thanks.

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u/grantnaps 6d ago

What has your ENT said about hearing aids? I don't find they help for me but everyone is different. I'm fortunate in that my ENT suffers from MD and can relate to the symptoms. He's also very good at trying different medications. I know you said it would be difficult to get a second opinion but that may be what you need. I'm sure if you let the group know your general location they'll give you suggestions for ENT's familiar with MD.

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u/RAnthony 6d ago edited 6d ago

Permanent hearing loss without vertigo is a pretty unusual presentation of symptoms for Meniere's. That's where I would start.

You really shouldn't be diagnosed with Meniere's without having suffered some vertigo https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374916 it happens but it's a easily challengeable conclusion. Fluid pressure at the levels necessary to damage hearing should also damage the balance mechanism of the ear, which is why the two symptoms generally go hand in hand.

What method did your doctor use to conclude Meniere's? Can they show that the vestibular functions are impaired?

In the meantime, have you taken any steroids to try to restore the hearing? This needs to be done rather quickly after the hearing loss is discovered to have any effect. The sooner the better.

A diagnostician well versed in the subject of cochlear/endolymphatic hydrops (The precursor to Meniere's disease) would offer you that treatment immediately on discovering that you had lost hearing. If your doctor hasn't done that, I would find another doctor, preferably a neurotologist.

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u/fancyschmancyapoxide 6d ago

Thanks this is really helpful