A meniett device is a device that fits in the ear that sends pressure pulses to the inner ear. A small tube has to be surgically implanted in the ear before the meniett device will work. The pressure that the device provides will force excess endolymph from the endolymphic sac. Excess endolymph is considered to be a cause of Meniere’s disease.
The device is made by Medtronic. It is small and can easily be handled. The pulses that the device generated are computer timed. The patient will typically use the meniett 3 times a day for 3 to 5 minutes.
The FDA cleared the Meniett for use in 1999. Tests have shown the effectiveness in providing relief for some Meniere’s patients and those who suffer with tinnitus.
The Meniett has to be prescribed by a doctor. Insurance coverage is up to the provider. My insurance company wouldn’t pay for the device. Maybe with more studies it will be included.
The device is made by Medtronic. It is small and can easily be handled. The pulses that the device generated are computer timed. The patient will typically use the meniett 3 times a day for 3 to 5 minutes.
The FDA cleared the Meniett for use in 1999. Tests have shown the effectiveness in providing relief for some Meniere’s patients and those who suffer with tinnitus.
The Meniett has to be prescribed by a doctor. Insurance coverage is up to the provider. My insurance company wouldn’t pay for the device. Maybe with more studies it will be included.
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33 comments:
Do you know of anyone who has tried this Meniett device? If so how did it work for them & was it able to aliviate a full blown attack once it started?
I can't remember if anyone posted a comment about it but I will ask in an upcoming blog post.
David
I have been using a Meniett device prescribed by my ENT in January of 2010 with very good success. Prior to the Meniett I was almost confined to the house due to severe vertigo attacks that lasted up to 6 hours at a time. I understand that the device does not work for everyone, but it has been a blessing for me.
For the last 6 months I have led a mostly normal life, except for when the temporary ear tube has come out, or become clogged. I just had a permanent (T-tube) implanted this week.
It took about 3 weeks for the Meniett to reduce about 95 percent of my symptoms, this is documented by Medtronic. Medtronic will allow a 2 month trial of the device with a full refund if it does not work.
I could tell immediately that it was helping me, in fact I did arrest attacks that had started.
I hope this helps.
Thanks Ken,
I appreciate the information about the meniett device. I will put this comment in an upcoming post.
stay in touch
David
I was one of the first patients to try the Meniett in the US; back in 2001 (I don't think it was FDA approved until later). In Seattle, I met the inventor (a Swedish doctor), and folks from Medtronics that were in the process of buying the technology. I used it for about 6 months. But like everything with Meniere's, it's anyone's guess if you are feeling better because of treatment or because the disease is taking a break (short or long). That was my experience.
Have you thought about using it again?
Thanks for the comment and stay in touch
David
Meniett device doesn't work for everyone. Some people swear by them, others reap no benefit at all. Unfortunately, it did nothing for me, even after three months. Fortunately, my doctor loaned me the device so I could check it out before making the hefty investment to buy one.
Bottom line is it's worth a try, but see if your doctor can lend you one before you buy. It's expensive.
Good advice!
Hi, My question concerns the efficacy of the Meniett to improve hearing loss caused by Meniere's. I have lost all hearing in one ear, and the other is decreasing. I have been told I just need to accept that, so I am searching for answers. Thank you. Sue
Hi Sue,
I don't think that I have ever heard of anyone's hearing being improved using the meniett device.
I also keep searching for answers about meniere's because you have to keep trying and not give up.
good luck and stay in touch
David
Has anyone ever heard of a link between hypothyroidism and meniere's. I have hypothyroid and meniere's,meniere's for 3 years, first two years were fine with a controlled low sodium diet, but now I have swimming head almost daily. My Doc. up'd my diuretic and put me on Valium "as needed". Now am thinking aboout the low-dose genatmicin injections though I don't get full blown vertigo attacks, but just everyday I get the feeling of them coming on. If I do get dizzy it's like for a couple of minues then it goes away. Sometimes, I'm driving and have ti pull over until it passes, most of the time I have to leave work, cannot concentrate and the part I hate the most, my 3 year old has to see me and now it's routine for him to ask, "Mommy are you feeling dizzy?" I was even pushing my Doctor for the surgery...any words from anyone would help, as I feel alone because I don't personally know anyone else with this horrible disease. Thanks....Patty
Hi Patty,
I had the gent injections in 2008 and this summer they seemed to work at first but not now. But some people have told me that it works for them so you might want to talk it over with your doctor.
I have a eight year old son and he is constantly asking me about if I am dizzy. I feel bad that this disorder is making him worry about me.
Don't feel alone there are many of us out there with meniere's disease, and I would say that most if not all of them are very supportive and very helpful. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.
David
Hi Sue, I have extreme hearing loss in my left ear and my I hear strange noises and have some pain in my right ear. I am so afraid of losing my hearing altogether. I have a 5 yr old daughter and I am trying to find out all I can- about help. If you find anything =Please post. I will do the same.
Thanks and take care
Terri
Hello , I am 27 yeras old and I am a musician so this menier`s is really bothering me. I have lost just a little of high frequence hearing in my right ear since my last attack 1 months ago. I would like to know if still is posible to get back my hearing or I shoud get use to the idea of it getting worst.
Thanks.
Hi,
I can't really say what is going to happen to your hearing because I'm not a doctor. but in my case the hearing got worse.
thanks for the comment
David
Dear Anonymous, Nov10th
I too have the hearing loss, I am 45, my doctor says the hearing loss is permanent. It is caused when the hairs inside the labyrinth of the ear lay down if they are down for too long they die...this one area where the the body does not replenish. The hairs are attached to the nerves that send messages to the brain for what you are hearing and if they die you brain no longer gets that message. so then the all the sounds that come in to your ear can not be received by the brain. That is why it can be hard to understand somethings because your brain is not getting the whole message.
I also sing and understand the dilemma of not being able to hear all the notes or even the direction in which sound is coming.
-Audrey, Sacramento, CA
Thanks Audrey for the comment
David
Did anyone find that exercising brought on attacks of vertigo?
I guess it would depend on what type of exercise you were doing. I don't think that walking would be to bad to start out with.
David
Hi, I am in the process of ordering a Meniett and am so hoping it will work. I have appreciated reading all the comments in this Blog. I have the daily dis-equillibrium, tinnitus, hearing loss and periodic bouts of vertigo. I have found bike riding to be one of the best helps for me, has anyone else found biking helpful, I have no idea why it works, but a physio suggested it as a way of retraining the balance centre.
Margart
HI, I have bilateral Meniere's for 16 years now. I think I'm finally loosing the battle with my L ear. Anyway, I've had the Endolymphatic shunt R ear 12 years ago (I don't recommend because it makes the tinnitus worse) and then 6 years later 2 gentamycin injections. They worked GREAT for the vertigo but the hearing is gone in that ear. It went immediately and never came back. I rarely have vertigo. But I can feel my ears swelling more so in the spring but I fear I did it to myself. I hope the hearing comes back on the left. On high dose steroids right now. One day I can hear, the next I can't. I could ski and hear in December and now I'm reduced to this. I've had terrible head noise and tinnitus for the past 6 years. It is relentless. When I get home from work, my head is about to explode from the noise. I've found high impact sweaty exercise VERY helpful until last week. It just made my situation worse. I've thought about the Meniett but since vertigo isn't really bothering me, I don't want to upset it.
I have been using the Meniett device for about 2 months. I can honestly say that I have not had an attack since then, but the pressure in my right ear and hearing loss has not gone away. Also, I get temporary relief with pressure by using the Meniett device, but it comes back almost immediately. So, at this point, I would say that device does not cure MD.
Anonymous, there isn't any cure, and for those people who are helped by the Meniett device, it's necessary to continue using it. I'm glad it provides you with relief. It didn't help me. But any reprieve from the symptoms would be worth it, so if it works for you, I say keep on using it.
Hello Everyone, I am 29 years old and a mom of two. I have delt with this disease for 11 years and am at my wits end. Think I am going to try this device to see if it works...I have had 4 operations already and several injections of gent and streptymicn. Also considering going to the House of Ear in LA....anyone ever been to a clinic of this sort...that specializes in this disease...I need a fix as this is taking over my life.
See if your doctor has a Meniett device they will let you use until you find out whether it works for you or not. They are very expensive, and insurance won't cover it for the most part. Good luck... hope it works!
Hi, I am 24 years old and have suffered with menieres since I was 18. I get frequent attacks in the right ear, probably 5 times a month. I have had three drop attacks in the last year. I had a grommet inserted and have had the steroid injections, but unfortunately like the rest of you hasn't done much. I'm on a relatively low-salt diet, unable to drive, run or play football anymore. The main thing that I suffer with is the physiological effect it has upon me. I used to work in medical insurance so I got to speak to a lot of people with the condition, when I asked about medication a lot said betahistine with cinnerazine works well. With regards to the meniett, I am currently awaiting mine to arrive. Whether or not it works or cost £2000 for me it is worth a shot as I need stability. One thing I have noticed is intense mental stress can bring on symptoms quickly. I went on holiday to a log cabin for a week, real peace and tranquility! For the first week in a year I didn't think about anything and before I new it the symptoms vanished. The next week I returned to a stressful sales job in the city of London and within 2 days it all came back. Eating salty foods for me is just controlling how bad the symptoms get not a direct cause. I have been in remission before and eat lots of salty foods without any effect, but when I'm not well it seems this is just like adding fuel to a fire. At the age of 18-24 it has hit me hard, and I'm sure the rest of you exactly the same. One thing I know is if or when it goes back into remission again, I will blooming enjoy everyday! Pete
Pete,
thanks for the comment. Stress does occur quite often with Meniere's disease. Good luck and stay in touch and let us know about your experience with the Meniett
thanks
David
to all who can not afford the meniett ... my insurance would not pay the 4,000 dollars so my Dr. told me to check with the Lions club. I did and they got me the device at no cost to me. call your local lions club, my Dr. had to send a note to them but they did it and i had ventilation tubes put in both ears and use the device 3 times a day. that was a year ago and i have not had a bad dizzy since. The Lions Club is there to help persons like us...
How helpful this blog is.
I am just starting the process of dealing with Menieres. Just two drop attacks, bilateral tinnitus, some hearing loss.
I hope you all know how much you do help. A busy doctor sometimes knows very little about Menieres. I was met with total disbelief when I metnioned my drop attacks as connected with Menieres. After tests which showed no other conditions could have caused the dropping, my doctor did accept that I had this 'very rare' condition with my Menieres.
He suggested that I come back in a year. The very next day I had a (for me) a very bad attack. Lots of loud bilateral tinnitus, lots of hearing loss. No vertigo - yet. I understand that this journey is a progressive one.
I need to talk to this doctor about whether to get a hearing aid at this stage of my Menieres, but, as I mentioned, the information on this blog has been beyond helpful.
Thank you all and than you Mr. Stillwagon.
You are very welcome and I appreciate your kind words
please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing
David
I stumbled onto this site by accident and quite glad (and sad) that I did. I've suffered both physiologically and mentally and battle the depression and hopelessness of this affliction every day...I'm 52 yrs old.
Reading the posts have brought up a lot of emotion connected with my affliction of MD over the last 12 yrs. I was misdiagnosed in the earlier stages and was told later that I could have improved my odds (to save my hearing) by getting steroid treatments earlier on. Early symptoms included intermittent hearing loss and tinnitus in my right ear...then the vertigo entered the picture about 8 yrs ago and changed my life forever. I was told by Doctor that it sounded a lot like Menier's disease, he was right. An ENT Dr. who actually knew what he was talking about recommended the Menietts device. At this time, I was having severe vertigo attacks lasting up to 12 hrs sometimes accompanied by vomiting and slurring of speech. A shunt was placed in my ear drum and $3,800 later I had a Menietts device delivering low pass frequency waves to my inner ear. It helped tremendously! The vertigo all but disappeared but did not help with the hearing loss or the deafening tinnitus. Ear infections were a bit of a problem but well worth the trade off. It seemed to help in the severity and duration of the vertigo attacks from that point on. However, the ear infections kept returning and would displace the shunts and I would have them replaced (4 times)...NO FUN! So...I opted to let the shunt hole in my eardrum grow over the last time it popped out.
The long and short of it?...The Menietts device gave me my life back to the point that I was able to deal with and GREATLY reduce the frequency and severity of the vertigo attacks. With the Menietts device on the shelf I still suffer from the attacks although not as bad as before. I guess you could say I'm a Menietts success story. I haven't used the device for a couple of years and may be interested in selling it. Can I post my e-mail address on this site for this purpose?
Thanks for listening everyone...hang in there and don't lose hope for an eventual cure!...............Jack
Jack, it's a great idea to sell the Meniett device to someone else who can use it. I'm sorry you had to give it up. I also had a boatload of trouble with the grommet in my eardrum, which caused an infection. We removed it and gave up on that idea, because unfortunately the device didn't seem to help me much.
Maybe if you post in some other areas on this blog it would help find someone who could use it? Considering how expensive the device is, it would be great if people could pass it along to someone else when it stops being helpful to them. I felt the same way when my hearing aid stopped helping me as my bad ear got worse and worse.
I'm 44 years old and have been having hearing loss in my left ear (and diagnosed with Menieres) and then vertigo over the last 2 years. My life was very very stressful when it started to occur and now it is not so much but the Vertigo attacks come and go but are really starting to interrupt life. I feel like sleeping all the time because sitting up is no fun. My hearing seems to be fairly stable with ringing off and on. I'm worried about the future though and it doesn't sound pretty from what I'm reading. I do a pretty high intensity workout which seems to really help manage it and make me feel better. Sounds like we're all in this together and hopefully there will be a cure soon. I found this recent case study that sounded hopeful: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed.
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