Ménière’s Disease

Publication Date: April 8, 2020
Last Updated: November 8, 2022

Table 3. Summary of Key Action Statements (KAS)

Diagnosis of Ménière’s Disease

Clinicians should diagnose definite or probable Ménière’s disease in patients presenting with two or more episodes of vertigo lasting 20 minutes to 12 hours (definite) or up to 24 hours (probable) and fluctuating or non-fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus or pressure in the affected ear, when these symptoms are not better accounted for by another disorder. (R)
6889

Assessing for Vestibular Migraine

Clinicians should determine if patients meet diagnostic criteria for vestibular migraine when assessing for Ménière’s disease. (R)
6889

Audiometric Testing

Clinicians should obtain an audiogram when assessing a patient for the diagnosis of Ménière’s disease. (S)
6889

Utility of Imaging

Clinicians may offer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the internal auditory canal (IAC) and posterior fossa in patients with possible Ménière’s disease and audiometrically verified asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss. (O)
6889

Vestibular or Electrophysiologic Testing

Clinicians should not routinely order vestibular function testing or electrocochleography to establish the diagnosis of Ménière’s disease. (R)
6889

Patient Education

Clinicians should educate patients with Ménière’s disease about the natural history, measures for symptom control, treatment options, and outcomes. (R)
6889

Symptomatic Management of Vertigo

Clinicians should offer a limited course of vestibular suppressants to patients with Ménière’s disease for management of vertigo only during Ménière’s disease attacks. (R)
6889

Symptom Reduction and Prevention

Clinicians should educate patients with Ménière’s disease on dietary and lifestyle modifications that may reduce or prevent symptoms. (R)
6889

Oral Pharmacotherapy for Maintenance

Clinicians may offer diuretics and/or betahistine for maintenance therapy to reduce symptoms or prevent Ménière’s disease attacks. (O)
6889

Positive Pressure Therapy

Clinicians should not prescribe positive pressure therapy for patients with Ménière’s disease. (R)
6889

Intratympanic Steroid Therapy

Clinicians may offer, or refer to a clinician who can offer, intratympanic steroids to patients with active Ménière’s disease not responsive to non-invasive treatment. (O)
6889

Intratympanic Gentamicin Therapy

Clinicians should offer, or refer to a clinician who can offer, intratympanic gentamicin to patients with active Ménière’s disease not responsive to non-ablative therapy. (R)
6889

Surgical Ablative Therapy

Clinicians may offer, or refer to a clinician who may offer, labyrinthectomy in patients with active Ménière’s disease who have failed less definitive therapy and have non-usable hearing. (R)
6889

Role of Vestibular Therapy for Chronic Imbalance

Clinicians should offer vestibular rehabilitation/physical therapy for Ménière’s disease patients with chronic imbalance. (R)
6889

Role of Vestibular Therapy for Acute Vertigo

Clinicians should not recommend vestibular rehabilitation/physical therapy for managing acute vertigo attacks in patients with Ménière’s disease. (R)
6889

Counseling for Amplification and Hearing Assistive Technology

Clinicians should counsel patients, or refer to a clinician who can counsel patients, with Ménière’s disease and hearing loss on the use of amplification and hearing assistive technology. (R)
6889

Patient Outcomes

Clinicians should document resolution, improvement, or worsening of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss and any change in quality of life in patients with Ménière’s disease after treatment. (R)
6889

Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Ménière’s Disease

Authoring Organization

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation

Publication Month/Year

April 8, 2020

Last Updated Month/Year

October 15, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

The primary purpose of this clinical practice guideline is to improve the quality of the diagnostic workup and treatment outcomes of Meniere's Disease.

Target Patient Population

Over 18 years old with suspected diagnosis of definite or probable Meniere's Disease

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory

Intended Users

Audiologist, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant, speech language pathologist

Scope

Diagnosis, Assessment and screening, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D008575 - Meniere Disease

Keywords

fluctuating aural symptoms, Meniett device, sensorineural hearing loss, Ménière’s

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Methodology Supplement, Methodology Supplement,