Prosper Ménière proposes that vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss originate from the inner ear, not the brain.
Hallpike & Cairns (England) and Yamakawa (Japan) independently identify cochleosaccular endolymphatic hydrops as the pathological hallmark of Ménière’s disease.
Growing anatomical knowledge leads to theories involving autonomic dysregulation and other systemic causes
Development of early surgical interventions such as:
Physicians begin to prescribe new practices and medications to reduce inner‑ear fluid pressure, including diuretics, low‑sodium diets, Betahistine (not in the U.S.), intratympanic gentamicin for vertigo control, and intratympanic steroids to preserve hearing
Rise of intratympanic steroid formulations (e.g., OTO‑104) with multiple Phase 3 trials
Gentamicin vs. steroid trials refine treatment strategies for refractory vertigo
High‑resolution MRI now allows in vivo visualization of endolymphatic hydrops, shifting Ménière’s from a purely clinical diagnosis to one with objective imaging criteria.
Modern research segments Ménière’s patients into distinct subtypes based on vestibular aqueduct/ endolymphatic sac morphology, age of onset, gender, and bilateral vs. unilateral involvement.
Ebselen (SPI‑1005) enters Phase 3 trials as a promising anti‑inflammatory/antioxidant therapy.
Ongoing trials explore serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, novel steroid delivery systems, and antiviral approaches (e.g., Famvir)
Consensus grows that Ménière’s involves failure of inner‑ear fluid homeostasis, with multiple potential pathways rather than a single cause.