Ménière’s disease is an inner ear hearing disorder that disturbs hearing and balance. The condition can cause vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), aural fullness and sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing sensitivity usually fluctuate in those with Ménière’s disease but at some point becomes permanent. Ménière’s disease can occur at any age and usually affects one ear.

Symptoms of Ménière’s disease may be due to extra fluid in the inner ear. But it isn’t clear what causes this fluid to build up in the inner ear. Problems that affect the fluid, which might lead to Ménière’s disease, include: poor fluid drainage, autoimmune disorders, viral infection and genetics. Because no single cause has been found, Ménière’s disease likely has a combination of causes.