#379 Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Meniere's Disease

Hearing loss and tinnitus require a systematic clinical approach, beginning with thorough patient history and basic physical examination. Age-related hearing loss, often genetic and exacerbated by noise exposure, frequently presents as high-frequency loss that impairs speech clarity. Sudden unilateral sensorineural hearing loss constitutes a medical emergency requiring urgent evaluation and corticosteroid intervention within a two-week window. For chronic conditions like Meniere's disease, which involves episodic vertigo and fluctuating hearing loss, management focuses on lifestyle stabilization, including consistent daily schedules and balanced sodium intake. Dr. Steven D. Rauch, a specialist in otology and neurotology, emphasizes that while hearing aids address loudness deficits, they do not resolve clarity issues. Clinicians should distinguish between Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraine, as the latter is significantly more common in younger patients and requires distinct trigger management.