Hi folks - I'm 48, first developed Meniere's at 21 in my right ear after riding in a car at a high elevation - ear popped painfully and the rest is history. Left ear went a handful of years later after an unexpected blast of music. So I'm going to call my Meniere's trauma induced. In short, here's my history since: I was lucky for a long time. Right ear got worse but left ear was not affected dramatically until a bit over a year ago - I'd had periodic bad vertigo attacks, but not frequent. Attacks lessened but hearing issues increased. Then one day (really seemed like just one day ) hearing dropped dramatically in my left ear and I had to get hearing aids. Decline in left ear ever since the hearing drop off. Btw, I hate the hearing aids - I need them to have a chance hearing conversation properly but the way they amplify percussive noise is maddening. I'm a teacher and probably won't be able to continue if things get much worse. I'm on Serc and Dyazide My left ear, the one that fluctuates more, has started to give me quick blasts of high frequency and volume tinitus when I swallow our or create similar pressure. It occasionally hums with loud low frequency tinitus, that is maddening. I have trouble with music - bass in particular is distorted and hearing aids only amplify this. Haven't played guitar since the downturn. Ears become physically cold at times. Stated wearing a hat indoors in winter at times! Have tried a number of supplements. My ENT tells me gent injections are an option but may only give temporary results and after a number of injections may cause problematic scarring. I wait endlessly for OTO 104. ... ENT suggests shunt surgery may at least stop or slow progression. Another top ENT I consulted with cautioncautions against it. I'm at a loss - the progress of my Meniere's isn't typical and I'm concerned that treatments wouldn't provide typical results. Anyone who could chime in with insights? Appreciate your reading this.
Welcome to the board. There is a lot of good info here. First, i would recommend getting straight to a neurotologist. ENTs are generally not very educated on these things. If it's traumu-induced, it could be PLF or SCD, or a variety of things. Those should all be ruled out before a diagnosis is made.
I agree about seeking out an inner ear specialist. There are so many possibilities that imaging and expertise may sort out. Where are you located? Perhaps someone here can offer a name of a specialist in your area.