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Shohet Ear Associates Enrolling Patients in Clinical Research Study for of Inner Ear Disorder, Ménière's Disease

Physicians at Shohet Ear Associates in Orange County are enrolling patients in a clinical research study of a new investigational drug for Ménière’s Disease, an inner ear disorder that affects the hearing and balance of more than 600,000 patients in the United States but has no FDA-approved drug therapies.

Patients with Ménière’s Disease experience episodes of extreme dizziness, vertigo, nausea and ringing of the ears (tinnitus) and frequently find the symptoms disabling. Episodes can be compared to quickly stepping off a merry-go-round and the resulting disorienting spinning sensation that causes one to be off balance and feeling nauseous. However, unlike the effects of the merry-go-round that lasts only minutes, Ménière’s Disease episodes can last for days. As a result, people with Ménière’s Disease are often unable to work, drive, interact with family or enjoy life. Furthermore, since these episodes are unpredictable, anxiety and loss of confidence or independence often ensue.

Well-known cases of Ménière’s Disease include Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, who has discussed needing help from cast mates during episodes, and alternative-country musician Ryan Adams, who stepped away from performing at the height of his career after referencing anxiety about having an episode while performing.

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“Unpredictable spontaneous vertigo is life altering and a source of considerable distress for patients with Ménière's Disease, and there are currently no FDA-approved drug therapies,” said Jack Shohet, M.D., of Shohet Ear Associates. “Each person with Ménière’s Disease who enrolls in this clinical research study moves us one step closer to the development of future drug treatments.  Clinical research is the key to finding new ways to treat Ménière’s Disease and other inner ear disorders in the future.”

Dr. Shohet and his team are enrolling patients in a clinical research study that is evaluating an investigational drug for Ménière’s Disease called OTO-104. In a previous study involving a small group of Ménière’s Disease patients, the investigational drug appeared to show a reduction in vertigo frequency and improvement in tinnitus. Additionally, OTO-104 was considered to be safe and well tolerated.

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Patients interested in the clinical trial can call the Research Department at Shohet Ear Associates at (562) 270-4327 or visit www.eardoctor.org/menieres-study.cfm  for more information.

About Shohet Ear Associates

Shohet Ear Associates is Orange County’s most comprehensive resource for all medical needs of the ear. Its practice is unique in that it teams physicians who specialize in treating the ear with audiologists offering a full complement of audiologic services, including dispensation of hearing aids. It is also the only practice in the area where patients can be treated with every medical and surgical treatment for hearing loss to ensure patients have the widest range of options on the market to restore hearing. Because both Jack Shohet, MD and Joni Doherty, MD, PhD served as clinical faculty at Southern California schools of medicine, their patients have access to academic-caliber treatments for ear conditions, but in a more intimate, convenient office setting. Its offices are conveniently located in Newport Beach and Seal Beach.

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