Meniere's disease is characterized by which triad of symptoms?

• A. Vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus
• B. Headache, fever, and nausea
• C. Nasal congestion, sinus pain, and cough
• D. Visual disturbances, photophobia, and diplopia

Answer: (A)

Understanding this condition starts with its hallmark presentation: episodes of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus, often accompanied by a sensation of fullness in the affected ear. Vertigo reflects inner ear disturbance in the balance organs, while the hearing loss is typically sensorineural and varies over time, usually affecting low frequencies early on. Tinnitus arises from cochlear dysfunction that occurs as the endolymphatic system swells. Other symptom patterns listed don’t align with this inner-ear triad, such as those seen with viral illness, sinus disease, or migraine. So the combination of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus best identifies Meniere's disease.