What is Meniere's disease? Jessie J struggled to sing or walk after suffering from ear disorder on Christmas eve
British pop singer Jessie J had to spend her Christmas Eve in hospital after being struck by Meniere's disease. Jessie took to her social media to update fans on her current condition, sharing that she struggled to hear, sing, and even walk in a straight line.
In an Instagram live video, she explained, "I woke up and felt like I was completely deaf in my right ear, couldn’t walk in a straight line. Basically, I got told I had Meniere’s syndrome." She continued, "I know that a lot of people suffer from it and I’ve actually had a lot of people reach out to me and give me great advice, so I’ve just been laying low in silence."
"Now’s the first time I’ve been able to sing and bear it. I just miss singing so much and being around anyone." She then expressed, "It could be way worse, it is what it is. I’m super-grateful for my health. It just threw me off."
"On Christmas Eve I was in the ear hospital going, ‘What is going on?" Jessie said. "But I’m glad I went early and they worked out what it was real quick and I got put on the right medicine so I feel a lot better today." She added, "I haven’t sung for so long and when I sing loud, it sounds like there’s someone trying to run out of my ear." In a lengthy Instagram post, Jessie also revealed what she has been doing since her diagnosis and gave a message of positivity. You can read her post here.
What is Meniere's disease?
For those who don't know what Meniere's disease is, it is a condition of the inner ear that causes sudden attacks of severe vertigo (where it feels like the room is spinning around you), tinnitus (ringing noises inside the ear), pressure felt deep inside the ear, as well as hearing loss, according to UK health website NHS.
Apart from feeling dizzy with the aforementioned spinning sensation, symptoms include feeling unsteady on your feet, vomiting or feeling nausea, buzzing/roaring/ringing noises in your ear, or a sudden drop in hearing. Symptoms vary from person to person, but an attack of hearing loss without vertigo is uncommon. They typically happen all at once and can last minutes or hours, but most commonly last two to three hours, and can take a day or two for the symptoms to disappear completely.
Meniere's disease most commonly affects people aged 20 to 60, while it is noted that it is uncommon in children.
Famous people who have/had the disorder
Historical figures who suffered with Ménière's disease include artist Vincent Van Gogh, Martin Luther (seminal figure in the Reformation), poet Emily Dickinson and more. Celebrities include journalist Andrew Knight, actress and comedian Jessica Williams, Dana White (Ultimate Fighting Championship president), classical pianist David Alstead, basketball player Steve Francis, and many others.