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Ménière's
disease
Ménière's
disease (Morbus Ménière) is characterised by several symptoms:
varying degrees of hearing loss, tinnitus, and severe attacks
of dizziness and sound distortion in the affected ear. Normally
all symptoms are present.
However
only one or two symptoms may appear at the beginning, for instance
dizziness may be predominant. Later, as the disease develops,
hearing loss and tinnitus are often predominant.
The
exact cause of Ménière's disease is still not known, but the disease
affects the inner ear, where the
equilibrium nerve and sensory cells transmit sound impulses to
the brain.
The
disease varies in severity from person to person. In severe cases,
the individual may suffer so much that it affects both work and
family. Others may continue to lead a normal life without too
much trouble. People with Ménière's disease and a hearing loss
may benefit from a hearing aid. It is always advisable to see
an ENT doctor for treatment and counselling.
Would
you like to know more about the function
of the ear? Click for more information. You can also point
the cursor at the illustration to see what the various parts of
the hearing system are called.
This
article courtesy of Widex
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