Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease is a condition that causes ringing in the ears and vertigo.  It can be mild, or it can be so severe that its sufferers can hardly function in their daily lives.  Imagine trying to live sideways.  The ringing in the ears can be so severe it causes hearing loss.  Typically this condition improves over time but not always.  Therefore, when a disability applicant applies for benefits on the basis of Meniere’s disease, it is often the case that the durational requirement for disability benefits will be a factor.  In order for a condition to be considered as part of your application for disability benefits, your condition has to have lasted or can be expected to last your a year or more.  If the symptoms of your Meniere’s disease have lasted for a year or more, I’m sorry.  But you might be eligible or disability benefits.  The side effects of the medications you take for your Meniere’s disease, including fatigue and lack of focus, could affect your ability to focus enough to maintain a production pace at a job.

Meniere’s disease is covered under the Social Security Administration’s listing of impairments. The requirements are listed below.

2.07      Disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function (Including Ménière’s disease), characterized by a history of frequent attacks of balance disturbance, tinnitus, and progressive loss of hearing.  With both A and B:

  1. Disturbed function of vestibular labyrinth demonstrated by caloric or other vestibular tests; and

B.  Hearing loss established by audiometry.

We serve clients throughout the Carolinas from our offices in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Columbia.