Affiliations: [a] Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing and Balance Research Unit, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| [b] Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA
| [c]
Audiology India, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| [d] Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| [e] Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Center for Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of Chinese PLA, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| [f] Department of Otolaryngology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Prof. Ilmari Pyykkö, Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing and Balance Research Unit, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. Tel.: +358 405294314; E-mail: ilmari.pyykko@uta.fi.
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to characterize the occurrence of Tumarkin attacks in patients with Ménière’sdisease (MD), and to study its association with reported complaints, severity of consequences, and also self-reported work ability. The study used a cross-sectional design. Data obtained from the Finnish Ménière Federation using an electronic survey was analyzed. 602 people with MD responded to the survey (62% response rate) with a mean age of 56.7 years and a mean duration of the disease 12.4 years. 49% of the respondents experienced Tumarkin attacks, which lasted for a few seconds to a few minutes. There were significant differences in complaints reported by MD patients with and without Tumarkin attacks. Respondents with Tumarkin attacks experienced various consequences, including tripping, falls, fear, anxiety, problems in dyadic life, and even transient loss of consciousness. Respondents with Tumarkin attacks had more frequently applied for pension than those not having Tumarkin attacks. On an average, respondents with Tumarkin attacks had less self-reported working ability when compared to those without Tumarkin attacks. The current study results suggest various differences in terms of complaints reported, severity of consequences, and the self-reported working ability in MD patients with and without Tumarkin attacks. Hearing healthcare professionals must examine Tumarkin attacks and their consequences in patients with MD during clinical examinations. In addition, the therapy should focus on alleviating the consequences and improving work ability.
Keywords: Vasovagal attack, unconsciousness, vestibular syncope, Tumarkin attacks, drop attacks
