Meniere's Diagnosis

K

K5Blazer

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I am not currently undergoing a MEB/PEB but have a feeling one will be starting sooner than later. I am AD USAF with 13 1/2 years. I have been seeing my PCM for the last year for vertigo and it has been getting worse. I was referred to an ENT and after he did a hearing test he claimed that i did not have Meniere's disease. I have significant hearing loss in my left ear and have a hearing aid for it from a previous ENT. I have vertigo at least 5 times a day that lasts from 15-30 min. when the vertigo happens i have almost zero hearing in my left ear. I asked for a separate referral to a different ENT because I am almost certain that i have Meniere's based on all the symptoms i have especially since i have a family history of others that have it as well.
My question is for those that have gotten a Meniere's dx how difficult was it for the ENT to actually diagnose. The research i have done states that there is not a definitive test for Meniere's, that the tests rule out other possibilities. Meniere's usually shows fluctuating hearing loss in the low frequencies but my hearing loss is in the high frequencies. Anyone who has gone through this and has tips to get these ENT docs to listen i would appreciate it.
 
Have you had a MRI on you head? Unilateral hearing loss calls for an MRI.
 
I had a test done for mine. The ENT sent me to a specialist where I had to watch lights in a headset and then they would blow air in my ears. That’s how he confirmed it.
 
There isn't a lot about Meniere's Disease that is definitive, except for generally having these four symptoms: low-frequency hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, and of course rotational vertigo. An MRI is used to rule out other possibilities (e.g. tumor). Caloric testing (one aspect of VNG testing) is commonly used to get a diagnosis, but it's not necessary. Caloric testing is the hot/cold air or water blown into the ears. Those four checks in the box should get you the diagnosis, if you're experiencing them all. I've been diagnosed for almost three years - currently going through the MEB/PEB process - it can be an absolutley brutal condition.
 
Chaplaincharlie Yes I have had an MRI 2 years ago when I received my hearing aid however, I was not having these other symptoms.
I have high frequency hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, and rotational vertigo but my concern is that the ENT will not make a diagnosis because I don't have the Low Frequency Hearing Loss even though I have found evidence that states that it can be high or low frequency loss.

Al_Shep The diagnosis didn't immediately trigger a MEB? Also how bad was your Low Frequency Hearing Loss or did it only show up on the hearing test if your were having an episode?
 
Got my MRI yesterday and everything was normal. Went to a different ENT for second opinion and he diagnosed me with definite Meniere's. My question is what does the process look like now for my PCM to initiate an MEB? Will the MEB start once the PCM receives the Meniere's diagnosis from the ENT doc?
 
K5Blazer said:
Got my MRI yesterday and everything was normal. Went to a different ENT for second opinion and he diagnosed me with definite Meniere's. My question is what does the process look like now for my PCM to initiate an MEB? Will the MEB start once the PCM receives the Meniere's diagnosis from the ENT doc?
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If you want an MEB make an appointment with your PCM. If he doesn’t have the report bring it with. Let the PCM know how bad this effects your standard of living.
 
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