Prevalence of Tinnitus in Early Stages of Ménière’s Disease

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of tinnitus in a sample of people with early stages of Ménière’s disease. Material and methods: A postal survey was sent to 256 patients all judged to fulfil the criteria of early unilateral Ménière’s disease established by the American Academy of Otolaryngology Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium. Of these 256 patients, 136 had probable Ménière’s disease and 120 had early possible Ménière’s disease. The same questionnaire was mailed and administered to 60 control subjects with no history of vestibular dysfunction. A total of 158 subjects completed the questionnaire. Results: Tinnitus was found in 54 (63%) of the 72 members of the final unilateral vestibular Ménière’s disease group and 61 (85 %) of the 72 members of the final unilateral probable Ménière’s disease group. Conclusion: The prevalence of tinnitus as determined by a questionnaire survey was significantly greater in patients with probable Ménière’s disease than in patients with early vestibular Ménière’s disease or in control subjects. However, the prevalence of tinnitus as determined by a questionnaire survey was significantly greater in patients with early vestibular Ménière’s disease than in control subjects.