Aural fullness in Ménière's disease.

Objective: Aural fullness in Ménière's disease and the predisposing and consequential factors were investigated and possible consequences of aural fullness on participation activity were explored.

Methods: 726 subjects of the Finnish Ménière Association replied to a questionnaire focusing on symptoms of Ménière's disease, sense of coherence, attitude, participation restriction, and general health-related quality of life (EQ-5D). In the analysis, the severity of the disease was controlled.

Results: 68% of the subjects had aural fullness and in 37% it was moderate or strong. Aural fullness was rated as the worst problem by 4.4% of the subjects. Females reported more aural fullness than males. Tinnitus, hyperacusis and balance problems were significant predictors of aural fullness. Aural fullness was associated with reduced quality of life and complaints such as vertigo attacks, balance problems and hearing loss. Analysis based on participation restriction indicated that severe aural fullness leads to social isolation.

Conclusions: Largely, psychological factors and personal traits modify problems experienced by aural fullness. Relaxation was the only statistically significant method that alleviated aural fullness.