Pediatric Meniere's disease

What is pediatric Meniere's disease?

Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that is rare in children. When it does occur, Meniere’s disease usually only affects one ear. Meniere’s disease may affect your child every day, or only once in a while.

Labyrinths (fluid-filled tubes in the inner ear) help your child keep their balance. Meniere’s disease affects the labyrinths, causing imbalance, vertigo and progressive hearing loss. In some cases, the hearing loss can become permanent.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric Meniere's disease?

The symptoms of Meniere’s disease may vary from episode to episode and can include:

• Hearing loss
• Pressure in the ear canal
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
• Vertigo  (dizziness) 

What are the causes of pediatric Meniere's disease?

Doctors do not know exactly what causes Meniere’s disease, however, it may be due to excessive fluid buildup in the inner ear.

This fluid buildup may be due to:

• Allergies
• A cold or virus
• Ear infections (otitis media)
• Family history
• Head injuries
• Migraine headaches
• Pressure changes