Auditory and vestibular assessment of patients with Ménière's disease who suffer Tumarkin attacks

Abstract

Tumarkin attacks are a feature of Ménière's disease that generate a significant degree of disability. The surprising nature of these events is the main reason behind their associated morbidity. In this study we set out to evaluate auditory and vestibular function, as well as disability, in a population of patients who suffer Tumarkin attacks. We found that patients who suffer Tumarkin attacks are more disabled and experience severer and more frequent autonomic symptoms and that their hearing level is significantly worse in the asymptomatic ear, especially at low frequencies. Accordingly, we consider that treatment must be carefully planned to be as conservative as possible in terms of hearing and that psychiatric and/or psychological treatment must always be considered as an adjuvant therapy.