xRead - Episodic Vertigo (January 2026)

10976817, 2020, S2, Downloaded from https://aao-hnsfjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1177/0194599820909438 by Mayo Clinic Libraries, Wiley Online Library on [19/09/2025]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License

Basura et al

S21

Table 8. Frequently Asked Questions.

Question

Answer

What is Me´nie`re’s disease (MD)?

MD is an ongoing inner ear disorder, diagnosed by symptoms of 2 or more episodes of vertigo that last between 20 minutes to 24 hours. Other symptoms that you may have along with vertigo include Fluctuating hearing loss Your ear feeling like it is full or plugged Tinnitus: a ringing, buzzing, or other noise in your ear The disorder is believed to be caused by too much fluid within the inner ear. Vertigo makes you feel like you are spinning or moving when you are still. It is caused when your vestibular system isn’t working properly. Vertigo can be due to nonvestibular causes. The vestibular system includes the inner ear and vestibular pathways in the brain dedicated to balance, coordination, and maintenance of posture. Tinnitus is when you hear ringing, buzzing, or other noises in your ear, when there is nothing causing the noise. Tinnitus sounds are different for each patient. 398 This sensation can occur early in MD onset when the hearing abruptly changes, alternating between worsening and improving. Your health care provider will ask questions to get a history of your symptoms and may also send you for additional testing. The following questions may be asked about your symptoms: How often do the symptoms occur? How long do the symptoms last? Describe your dizziness. How severe are the symptoms? Do you have hearing loss with the dizziness? How long does that last? Does the hearing loss fluctuate? Do you have other ear complaints (fullness or changes in tinnitus) with the dizziness? Has your dizziness caused you to fall? Do you have tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or other noises in your ear) along with the dizziness? Does your ear feel full during your attacks of dizziness or hearing loss? When you are feeling dizzy: Do you have headaches? Do any lights or sunlight make you feel worse? Does it make you feel worse when you move? Anyone in your family have similar symptoms? Keeping a journal of symptoms can help your health care provider make an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes it takes many visits to diagnose MD. Your health care provider may have you get the following testing: Audiogram This is a hearing test. An audiologist performs this test. It measures the level of hearing from low to high frequency. s No significant risk of testing s Test can be time-consuming (about 30 minutes) Video- or electronystagmogram This exam evaluates vestibular function of the ear, the vestibular centers of the brain, and the oculomotor system. In a darkened room, eye movements are recorded as warm and cool water or air is added into each ear canal. The test evaluates how the eyes and ears coordinate with the brain. s Risks of vertigo, nausea with testing s Tests are time-consuming (about 1 hour) s May cause discomfort with changes in body positions Electrocochleography Electrocochleography measures the electrical responses of the cochlea and auditory nerve to electrical stimulation. s Risks include discomfort in the ear. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain A type of imaging that uses magnetic energy to view brain and nerve anatomy. Intravenous contrast is often required to improve the images. The machine contains powerful magnets, so patients with stainless-steel or nontitanium implants may not be able to have MRI. Risks of MRI include s Allergy to contrast dye s Discomfort with intravenous placement

What is vertigo?

What is the vestibular system?

What is tinnitus?

What is fluctuating hearing loss? How is the diagnosis of MDmade?

What testing might be ordered?

(continued)