The treatment of hearing loss in Meniere's disease.

A review of the recent literature concerning hearing loss and Meniere's disease is presented. A compilation of the change in hearing resulting from endolymphatic sac surgery, vestibular nerve section, and intratympanic gentamicin injection and a summary of the results of pharmacologic interventions is tabulated for 1986 to 1996. Although vertigo control is variable with the above treatment strategies, hearing loss does not appear altered by any of them when compared with the natural history of hearing loss associated with Meniere's disease. Further investigation is necessary to understand the underlying cause of hearing loss in Meniere's disease and to eventually control its progression.