Secondary Meniere's Syndrome Following Excessive Noise Exposure

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neuroscience
• Audiology

Background:

• The impact of noise on vestibular and balance function is not well-understood.
• Studies suggest otolith organs, like the cochlea, are sensitive to sound, potentially leading to endolymphatic hydrops.
• This study investigates Meniere's syndrome secondary to excessive noise exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize cases of Meniere's syndrome resulting from excessive noise exposure.
• To understand the prevalence and clinical presentation of noise-induced Meniere's syndrome.
• To evaluate the prognosis and treatment response in these patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of medical records from audio vestibular clinics (January 2014 - July 2021).
• Screening of 18,844 patients to identify those diagnosed with Meniere's syndrome following noise exposure.
• Analysis of clinical presentation, audiometric data, and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Nine patients (2.6% of Meniere's disease cases) were diagnosed with Meniere's syndrome following noise exposure.
• Symptoms developed between 4 months and 9 years after noise exposure (occupational or acoustic trauma).
• Most patients showed flat or high-frequency hearing loss and responded well to standard Meniere's disease treatments.

Conclusions:

• Secondary Meniere's syndrome from noise exposure is a recognized entity with a prevalence of 2.6%.
• Both acoustic trauma and prolonged noise exposure can trigger this condition.
• Standard Meniere's disease treatments and otoprotective measures lead to a favorable prognosis, emphasizing the importance of awareness.