Seasonal Ménière Disease Patterns in Hearing Health

A meta-analysis of over one million participants indicates that the diagnosis of Ménière’s disease follows a seasonal pattern, with a slight peak in spring and a noticeable dip in winter.

What the Study Found About Season and Ménière’s

Researchers Xuanyu Shi, Linlin Wang, and Xingqian Shen conducted a systematic review to see if Ménière’s disease (MD) occurrence changes with the seasons. They pooled data from five observational studies. Their analysis, published in Frontiers in Neurology, shows a clear pattern. Using summer as a baseline for comparison, the odds of an MD occurrence were highest in spring, with an odds ratio of 1.03. This means the chance was about 3% higher in spring than in summer.

The most pronounced finding was a drop in winter. The odds ratio for winter was 0.92, indicating the chance of an MD event was about 8% lower than in summer. The difference between autumn and summer was not statistically significant. The team’s sensitivity analyses confirmed these results were consistent and not driven by any single study in the meta-analysis.

How Researchers Compiled the Evidence

The investigators searched major medical databases, including PubMed and Embase, for studies published up to July 2025. They looked for observational studies that reported on the seasonal timing of Ménière’s disease diagnoses or symptomatic attacks in patients. After screening, they included five studies in their final quantitative synthesis.

The combined data represented 1,001,636 participants. To ensure quality, they assessed each study using standardized tools like the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The statistical analysis calculated pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, giving a measure of the strength and precision of the seasonal association. The low heterogeneity among studies strengthened the reliability of the combined result.

Why Season Might Influence Ménière’s Disease

The observed pattern points to environmental triggers. Spring’s slight increase could be linked to higher pollen counts and allergic reactions, which can affect immune response and fluid regulation in the inner ear. Fluctuating barometric pressure common in spring may also impact inner ear fluid pressure, a central issue in Ménière’s pathology. For more on how systemic conditions can affect hearing, see our article on Migraine Linked to Hearing Disorders and Tinnitus.

The notable decrease in winter is intriguing. Colder temperatures might reduce outdoor activity and exposure to potential environmental triggers, or seasonal viruses common in other months may play a lesser role. The finding adds to a growing understanding that Ménière’s is not solely an internal disorder but one that interacts with external factors. This aligns with research into Nutritional Strategies for Ménière’s Disease and Tinnitus, which explores how diet—another environmental factor—can influence symptoms.

Practical Implications for Patients and Clinicians

This evidence can directly inform patient management. Individuals with Ménière’s may benefit from tracking their symptoms against seasonal changes, potentially identifying personal risk periods. During spring, they might be advised to be especially diligent with known management strategies, such as maintaining a low-sodium diet or managing stress.

For clinicians, awareness of this pattern can aid in patient education and timely intervention. It may also guide research into preventive measures during higher-risk seasons. Understanding these environmental links is a part of broader Advances in Hearing Health and Hearing Loss, which seeks to connect various biological and external factors affecting auditory well-being.

Limitations and the Need for Future Research

The authors are clear about the study’s constraints. The meta-analysis included only five studies, and those were primarily from European and Asian populations. This geographic concentration limits how broadly the findings can be applied. Seasonal patterns driven by specific regional climates or allergens may not be the same elsewhere.

Future high-quality studies across diverse geographic regions—including North America, South America, and Africa—are necessary to confirm if this is a global phenomenon. Research could also focus on pinpointing the specific environmental mechanisms, such as atmospheric pressure changes, viral prevalence, or allergen types, that are most strongly associated with symptom onset.

Source: Shi X, Wang L, Shen X. Seasonal variation in Ménière disease: a meta-analysis. Front Neurol. 2026;17:1876181. doi:10.3389/fneur.2026.1876181.