Aural fullness in Ménière’s disease
Reviewed by Stephen James Broomfield

This survey of the Finnish Ménière’s Association aimed to examine the severity and consequences of aural fullness, the least reported cardinal symptom of Ménière’s disease. An initial pilot survey informed a second, restructured survey, giving a total of 726 respondents (response rate 53%). The survey included tools for measuring symptom severity, general quality of life and ability to cope. Overall, aural fullness was commoner in females and occurred in 493 (68%) at the time of the survey. Tinnitus and hyperacusis were strongly associated with aural fullness, which was described as moderate or severe by 30% and as a ‘major complaint’ by 4.4%. Severity of anxiety, low ability to cope and mood diseases were connected with more severe aural fullness, which was associated with reduced quality of life and social isolation. Relaxation was found to be the only statistically significant method for alleviating aural fullness. Whilst there are some methodological flaws in this study, it highlights the potential impact of aural fullness for patients with Ménière’s disease.

Aural fullness in Ménière’s disease.
Levo H, Kentala E, Rasku J, Pyykko I.
AUDIOLOGY NEUROTOLOGY
2014:19;395-99.