Current management of Ménière's disease in an only hearing ear.

OBJECTIVE: Ménière's disease in an only hearing ear is rare. Our objective is to define the current practice patterns for this problem.

SUBJECTS: Clinically active members of the American Otological Society and the American Neurotology Society.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survey responses.

RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-four surveys were sent out, and 165 were returned (48%). Ninety-nine percent recommended dietary modification as first line. Only 39% recommended oral corticosteroids. Second-line treatments were, in order of significance, the Meniett device (Medtronic ENT, Jacksonville, FL, USA), intratympanic corticosteroids, endolymphatic mastoid shunt, intratympanic gentamicin, and endolymphatic sac vein decompression. Interestingly, 71.5% of respondents would operate on an only hearing ear provided the appropriate circumstances.

CONCLUSION: We have documented current practice patterns for treatment. Second-line treatments vary, but the Meniett is recommended most frequently, and further recommendations may not logically progress from least to most invasive. Many respondents eventually offer surgery.