1. Community
  2. Ears, nose, throat and mouth
  3. Meniere's Disease

Can being around military aircraft with Unprotected ears lead to Meniere's years later?

Posted , 3 users are following.

barry61472
barry61472

In the 1970's I was in the USAF. I stood guard around jets without proper ear protection. I left the USAF in 1984. In 1995 I was diagnosed with Meniere's and in Dec. 2016 I had a Labyrinthectomy. My symptoms leading up to the surgery were severe. I am trying to get a disability rating from the US Dept of Veterans Affairs and want to know if there can be a causal relationship between the lack of adequate ear protection and development of meniere's.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Womanofthewoods
    Womanofthewoods barry61472

    Posted

    Thank you for your service, Barry. I don't think anyone knows what causes Meniers. But the exposure to the engines all those years certainly causes hearing loss and tinnitus so it may be hard to tease out. (I work for the VA ) I hope you are working with your VSO on this- they can help the most! Best wishes

  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 barry61472

    Posted

    The objective answer is that there is no proven connection between the two.

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 barry61472

      Posted

      Tinitus and hearing loss is part of the Meniere's syndrome.

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • barry61472
      barry61472 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Yes, but can being around jet aircraft for years without proper ear protection be a possible cause for the tinnitus and hearing loss years later?
    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 barry61472

      Posted

      Did you have vertigo episodes?

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 barry61472

      Posted

      Did you also feel that your ears were blocked?

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.