Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Ménière’s disease

Ménière’s disease is an inner ear condition with attacks of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in one or both ears. New loss of neurological function, sudden deafness in one ear or dizziness clearly different from previous attacks requires prompt assessment.

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Ménière’s disease is an inner ear condition with attacks of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in one or both ears. New loss of neurological function, sudden deafness in one ear or dizziness clearly different from previous attacks requires prompt assessment.

  • Spontaneous attacks of severe spinning dizziness, usually lasting twenty minutes to several hours, often with nausea and vomiting.
  • Fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, initially often affecting low tones and usually starting in one ear.
  • During an attack, sit or lie down immediately in a safe place, move your head gently and have someone stay with you if possible.
  • Do not drive or operate machinery while dizzy, sleepy from medicines or unsteady on your feet.
  • Make an appointment for recurrent attacks of vertigo with tinnitus, ear pressure or fluctuating hearing loss.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

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TinnitusTinnitus means hearing sound without a source outside the body, such as ringing, humming or hissing. It is often harmless but can have a major impact. One-sided, pulsating or sudden tinnitus with hearing loss, dizziness or neurological symptoms needs prompt assessment.
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VertigoVertigo makes you feel as though you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. The cause is often in the inner ear's balance system, but sudden persistent vertigo with loss of neurological function may be a stroke. The pattern of episodes, hearing symptoms and warning signs determines what assessment is needed.
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Sudden hearing lossSudden hearing loss in one or both ears can result from earwax or middle ear problems, but also acute damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve. Unexplained sudden sensorineural hearing loss needs medical and ENT assessment the same day; early steroids may be appropriate.