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.