Diagnosis of Meniere's: How It's Confirmed and What Tests Matter
When you're hit with sudden spinning dizziness, ringing in your ear, and a feeling of fullness—especially if it comes and goes—you might be dealing with Meniere's disease, a disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Also known as endolymphatic hydrops, it doesn't show up on regular scans, so diagnosis relies on symptoms, timing, and ruling out other conditions. There's no single blood test or X-ray that confirms it. Instead, doctors look for a pattern: at least two episodes of vertigo lasting 20 minutes to 12 hours, documented hearing loss on a hearing test, and ringing or fullness in the ear—none of which are better explained by another issue.
That’s why the hearing test, a detailed audiogram that measures how well you hear different pitches and volumes is so critical. Meniere's usually affects low frequencies first, and the hearing loss often comes and goes early on. Then there's the balance test, like electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG), which tracks eye movements when your inner ear is stimulated with air or water. These tests help confirm if the problem is in your inner ear and not your brain or nerves. Doctors also check for tinnitus, the persistent ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in the ear that often matches the timing of vertigo attacks. If you have all three—vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus—and no tumor, stroke, or MS, the diagnosis clicks.
What makes Meniere's tricky is that it mimics other things: migraines with vertigo, labyrinthitis, even low blood sugar. That’s why your doctor will ask about your full history—how long the attacks last, what triggers them, if you have family members with similar symptoms, and whether you’ve had ear infections or head injuries. You might need an MRI just to be sure there’s no tumor pressing on the nerve. The good news? Once the pattern is clear, treatment can start. You’ll learn how to reduce salt, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and sometimes take pills to calm the inner ear. Some people get better with time; others need more aggressive steps. What you find below are real guides from people who’ve been through this—how they got diagnosed, what tests they had, and what actually helped them manage the symptoms day to day.
Learn how to spot, diagnose, and treat Meniere's disease in children with practical tips, treatment options, and FAQs for families.
Oct, 12 2025