Meniere’s Disease (MD)

Understanding and Managing Ménière’s Disease

Expert Diagnosis and Hearing Rehabilitation at Healthy Hearing & Balance Care, Sydney

Healthy Hearing & Balance Care, located in Bondi Junction, Sydney, is Australia’s only audiology clinic specializing in Ménière’s disease (MD). Under the direction of Dr Celene McNeill, PhD, our clinic delivers evidence-based diagnosis, rehabilitation, and management for individuals affected by this complex inner-ear disorder.

What Is Ménière’s Disease?

Ménière’s disease is defined as a combination of symptoms arising from the inner ear — the organ responsible for both hearing and balance. The disease was first described in 1861 by a French doctor called Prosper Meniere who was the first to realise that such attacks were coming from an ear disruption rather than from the brain as originally thought. The symptoms come in clusters of attacks at unpredictable intervals. The precise mechanism of the disease is still under investigation but it is now understood that Meniere’s is a systemic disorder affecting the function of the inner ear. The condition often affects one ear initially but may progress to both over time.

Core Symptoms

Ménière’s disease presents as a fluctuating group of symptoms that can vary in intensity and frequency:

• Vertigo – episodes of severe spinning that last from 20 minutes to 12 hours, sometimes accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

• Fluctuating hearing loss – typically affecting low frequencies first and worsening over time.

• Tinnitus – ringing, humming, or roaring sounds in the affected ear.

• Aural fullness – a sensation of pressure or blockage in the ear.

Vertigo attacks often occur in clusters followed by periods of remission. As the condition progresses, hearing loss can become permanent, and balance difficulties may increase, particularly in low-light or visually busy environments.

Diagnosis and Assessment

Because Ménière’s symptoms can resemble those of other vestibular disorders such as vestibular migraine, labyrinthitis, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), accurate diagnosis is critical. At Healthy Hearing & Balance Care, we conduct detailed auditory and vestibular assessments to document symptom fluctuations and distinguish Ménière’s disease from other causes of dizziness, hearing loss, ear fullness and tinnitus.
Early identification allows for more effective symptom management and improved long-term outcomes.

Management and Rehabilitation

Hearing and Balance Rehabilitation

• Hearing Aids – Current hearing aid technology can significantly enhance communication, reduce tinnitus, and relieve ear fullness. Dr McNeill’s PhD research developed fitting protocols for self-programming digital hearing aids to adapt to changing hearing levels. Well adapted hearing aids not only improve overall hearing and communication but also help to reduce tinnitus perception.

• Cochlear Implants – For advanced cases where hearing aids are insufficient, cochlear implants can restore hearing by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. Our clinic performs comprehensive assessments to determine the most suitable ear for implantation and provides comprehensive post-operative mapping and rehabilitation.

• Balance Therapy – Our experienced neuro-physiotherapist offers vestibular rehabilitation to retrain the balance system and lessen the impact of vertigo attacks.

Emotional and Practical Support

Ménière’s disease can have significant personal and emotional consequences. Hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo often contribute to anxiety, fatigue, and social withdrawal. Our multidisciplinary team provides counselling, education, and management strategies to help patients maintain their independence and confidence throughout treatment.

Our Expertise

Dr Celene McNeill, Audiologist and Director of Healthy Hearing & Balance Care, earned her PhD from Macquarie University for her research into hearing rehabilitation in Ménière’s disease. Her clinic combines advanced technology, rigorous clinical standards, and compassionate care to set the benchmark for Ménière’s diagnosis and management in Australia.

Patient Feedback

“I am now able to go back to work as I am in control of my hearing.” — MM

“I can sit at a dinner table and have a conversation with my family.” — WS

“Background noise is not as much of a problem.” — WA

“I finally had a break from my tinnitus.” — WM

“My vertigo attacks have less impact on my quality of life” — PM

“I still feel dizzy sometimes, but I feel more in control of my body” — IV

Research Collaboration

Dr Celene McNeill worked closely and co-authored scientific papers with Emeritus Professor Bill Gibson, who is now retired. Prof Gibson was a leading Sydney otologist and world authority on Meniere’s disease. 

More recently, Healthy Hearing & Balance Care has been collaborating with Dr Jos é Antonio López-Escámez, Professor of Ménière’s Disease & Neurosciences at the University of Sydney. His pioneering research explores the genetic foundations of Ménière’s disease and the development of future gene-targeted therapies. This partnership ensures that our patients receive care informed by the most current international research.

Book an Assessment

Early assessment and expert intervention can substantially improve long-term outcomes.
Call (02) 9387 3599 or visit www.healthyhearing.com.au  to arrange a consultation with Dr Celene McNeill at Healthy Hearing & Balance Care, Bondi Junction, Sydney.