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During attacks of Meniere's disease you will:

• Lose some hearing
• Feel very dizzy, as if you or the room is spinning. This is called vertigo.

You may also:

• Hear ringing or other sounds in your ears
• Feel pressure in your ear (often when the attack begins).

These attacks can last from about 20 minutes to several hours. You may need to lie down and you may vomit or feel sick to your stomach. Afterward, you may feel tired or unsteady.¹ Between attacks, your hearing may be fine.

Symptoms may start in just one ear. But after months or years you may get symptoms in the other ear.¹

Most people have up to about a dozen attacks each year, but some people don't have attacks for months at a time.²

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor. Several other things can cause these symptoms such as anemia, certain medications and ear infections. So it is important that he or she makes sure you have Meniere's disease and not another problem.

Your doctor may refer you to another doctor who specializes in ear, nose and throat problems (called an otolaryngologist). Or you may see someone who specializes in hearing disorders (an audiologist), for a hearing test. Some people may need to have an MRI scan (a detailed scan that looks inside your body, a bit like an X-ray) or other tests.³

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.