Meniett^® Low-Pressure Pulse Generator
Treatment for the Relief of Symptoms Associated with Ménière's Disease and Endolymphatic Hydrops

Ménière's Disease
Approximately 2.6 million people in the US and Europe suffer from Ménière's Disease(MD).¹ MD is a complex, progressive disorder of the inner ear characterized by: abnormal sensation of movement (rotary vertigo), hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and tinnitus. Attacks can last from 20 minutes to a day or more with a recovery period often lasting from one to three days. The effect of these symptoms on the patient can be debilitating. A study by Anderson and Harris² reported that the quality of well-being in patients with active MD lies between elderly patients with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and patients with AIDS or cancer, six days before death. 

The intensity, duration and periods between spells can vary widely. Generally, in the early stage of the disease, the symptoms fluctuate with symptom-free periods between attacks. The disease, in its late stage, is generally characterized with more chronic symptoms of less intensity but often of fixed or constant degree. Some people progress rapidly while some have "early stage" symptoms throughout the duration of the disorder. Figure 1.

Figure 1.  Example of symptom progression in a typical patient with Ménière's Disease. Tinnitus is not charted due to its episodic nature.  Click on image to view larger.

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