Intermittent pressure therapy of intractable Meniere's disease using the Meniett device: A preliminary report

Hypothesis: Treatment with the Meniett device, which applies intermittent micropressure pulses to the inner ear through a tympanostomy tube, is effective in controlling vertigo in people with intractable Meniere's disease. Study Design: Short-term, preliminary descriptive report. Methods: Ten patients with intractable vertigo despite adequate medical therapy elected to use the Meniett device. After placement of a standard tympanostomy tube, the patient self-administers the Meniett device three times daily. Results: The follow-up ranged from 3 to 11 months with an average of 8 months. All 10 patients responded to the therapy with vertigo control in 9 of 10 and a 50% reduction in the 10th case. There was a mean hearing gain of 6 dB, which was statistically significant. There were no major complications. Two subjects required tube reinsertion during the 8 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Use of the Meniett device is an effective and safe option for people with intractable vertigo from Meniere's disease.