LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF MENIERES-DISEASE ON HEARING AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE

Objective: To evaluate long-term hearing results and quality of life i n patients with Meniere's disease. Study Design: Detailed audiometric evaluation and disease-specific as well as global health quality evalu ation of patients with Meniere's disease. Setting: Ambulatory evaluati on was conducted in a large multispecialty clinic.Patients: Meniere's disease in only one ear, were at least 1 year posttreatment, were <65 years of age, had no neurologic or psychologic disorders, and lived wi thin driving distance of the ambulatory clinic. Main Outcome Measures: Audiometry, the Hearing Handicap Inventory, Dizziness Handicap Invent ory, Tinnitus Handicap inventory and SF-36 Health Survey. Results: No statistically significant differences in long-term hearing results wer e detected from natural history in medically or surgically treated pat ients with Meniere's disease. A significant disease-specific symptom h andicap was detected. The global health handicap was greater for emoti onal disability than for physical disability. Conclusions: Medical and surgical treatment does not significantly influence hearing results i n Meniere's disease. Patients with Meniere's disease have a greater em otional disability than a physical disability.