Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 2/3/2009

Question
Hi,
My mom for the past couple of months has been experiencing ringing in her ears with bouts of vertigo. Her sister and my cousin have been experiencing this as well. She has been to a doctor several times and they always tell her that nothing can be done about the ringing in the ears. They always tell her that she just has to live with it. I don't know if my mother has been seeing a GP or if she has been seeing specialists. My mom is very nervous that this could be related to something else, something that the doctors are missing. I just wanted to see if this could be true or if what her doctors are telling her is true. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Katie,
Your mother needs to be evaluated by an ear specialist.  There are many conditions that can cause these symptoms, and, once diagnosed, the symptoms may respond to treatment.  One such condition that causes tinnitus and vertigo, as well as hearing loss, is Meniere's Disease.  This is a disorder of the fluids in the inner ear. Another cause could be a benign growth on the nerve leading from the ear.  Another cause could be something as simple as high blood pressure.  Here are two web sites dealing with vertigo and tinnitus respectively: vestibular.org and www.ata.org.  Both sites give an overview of possible causes, tests, and treatments.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology