Today, I’m going to try something a little bit different.

Instead of writing one cohesive long-form article, I decided to write a bulletin style post about a few of my latest discoveries, obsessions, and my new favorite low-sodium snacks!

Low-Sodium Snacks:

Of all the challenges that come with maintaining a low-sodium diet, snacking has always been the most difficult for me.

Everywhere I look in the grocery store, I find packaged food products loaded with sodium. And while I can always go the fruits and vegetable route, it leaves something to be desired. Sometimes I just want comfort food, something crunchy, or sweet.

But more importantly, when I have a variety of low-sodium snacks on hand, I have a much easier time maintaining a low-sodium diet.

So here are a few of my latest low-sodium snacks discoveries:

From left to right:

Click here for recommendations! (And scroll to the bottom of the following page.)

Titanium Earplugs:

Over the years, Meniere’s disease has made me much more sensitive to noise than I used to be. I carry high-fidelity (musicians) earplugs with me everywhere these days.

It’s important for everyone to protect their ears from noise-induced hearing loss. But when you live with Meniere’s disease, your hearing is already at risk, and you have to protect it at all costs.

Which brings me to my latest discovery: ISOLATE Earplugs.

Isolate first caught my attention when they launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign last June with the slogan: “Switch off your ears.” They claimed the earplugs would block out all of the noise (as opposed to foam earplugs which absorb the sound) while transmitting sound at a much lower volume via bone conduction.

I was sold, and I decided to back the project.

Fast forward a few months and my new earplugs arrived in the mail. The packaging was top notch, and I was blown away by the quality. I chose the set made from aluminum, but they offer titanium as well (with additional noise reduction and higher price point).

I can safely say that they are the best pair of earplugs I’ve ever tried. They block out more noise than any foam or silicone plug and are comfortable to wear. They’re also very low profile in my ears.

The only downside is that the foam tips need to be replaced every so often, which adds to the cost of an already expensive set of earplugs.

ISOLATE Earplugs – Aluminum

ISOLATE PRO Earplugs – Titanium

Replacement Foam Tips

My Latest Exercise  Obsession:

Exercise and physical fitness have always been an important part of my Meniere’s disease coping strategy. It reduces stress, improves my sleep, and helps me raise my overall level of health.

For most of the last year, I stayed in shape by running and walking. But over the last few months, I’ve fallen in love with cycling.

For years, my bike was just collecting dust in my garage. But growing up, I was always on my bike. My friends and I would ride together everywhere.

It wasn’t until I rode bikes with my family on a recent vacation in Boulder, Colorado, that I realized how much I missed it. And I’ve been obsessed ever since.

My new bike: A Trek Dual Sport Hybrid

It gives me a sense of nostalgia, and freedom, and play that I haven’t felt since I was a kid.

If you’re well enough to safely ride a bike, I can’t recommend it enough.

But I know that it may not be possible for you. It’s not the same, but a stationary bike, or even something as simple as a floor pedal exerciser can be a fun way to get in shape.


(A popular floor pedal exerciser on Amazon)

A Better way Drink Kava

I don’t talk about kava very often, but if you’ve read the Mind Over Meniere’s book, or if you’ve followed me from the beginning, you’ve probably heard me mention it.

Kava is a relaxing tea made from the roots of the Kava plant, grown in in the South Pacific Islands. I typically describe it as the opposite of coffee. In other words, if coffee was a sedative, rather than a stimulant, but of the same strength, kava is the result.

Nearly two years ago, I published a detailed post about kava titled: A 3000 Year Old Alternative to Alcohol.

(If you aren’t familiar with kava, read this post before reading any further.)

I’ve used kava safely for years. It has never triggered my Meniere’s symptoms and has always been an enjoyable, yet relaxing aspect of my life.

But it’s not without its drawbacks. For starters, it can interact negatively with medications commonly prescribed for Meniere’s disease. **If you are interested in trying it, speak with your doctor first. Some people also report side effects.**

But it’s biggest issue has always been how time consuming and difficult it is to make it properly.

The Kavafied Aluball Kava Maker solves this problem entirely.

With the Aluball, all you have to do to make a traditional kava tea is add one tablespoon of ground root powder to the green ball, put it in the shaker cup with room temperature water, and shake for 30-60 seconds.

It’s the best thing to happen to the kava world in decades and one of my favorite recent purchases!

A few great Kava brands to try (available on Amazon Prime):

My All-Time Top Favorite Kava Vendor:

Let me know what you think!

I’d love to hear from you.

If you’ve tried any of my new favorite things, or if you have anything else to recommend, leave a comment below! And be sure to let me know what you think about this new bulletin style post format.

See you all next week!

P.S. I’m looking for either a physical therapist who specializes in Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy or a Meniere’s patient who has had success with VRT (or both) to write a guest post for Mind Over Meniere’s. If you match this criteria and are interested, or can recommend someone else who might be, send me at email at glenn@mindovermenieres.com.

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information, the isolate pro earplugs sounds like a great idea because I too struggle a lot with sound sensitivity.
    This style of post is wonderful and very helpful.

  2. Dennis
    I was recently diagnosed with menieres and I am finding it very difficult to get anything done. Was in the middle of remodeling my house when I had the ear injury. I am a auto tech and do alot of home repairs but am finding it very difficult to get myself motivated to do any of it. Had gentamicin injection to stop the daily vertigo attacks but now I feel alot of disequilibrium and brain fog. At risk of losing my job ,just dont want to do anything or go anywhere. Trying hard to be positive but it is getting very difficult. Why do I not want to do any thing and is it possible to do automotive repairs and remodeling with this disease or do I need to change everything I do?

    • Hi, im a massage therapist and i find it hard at times moving about, i can see how it would be difficult for you to bend and move etc. like you have to if your having symptoms, for some symptoms can be treated so see doctor and see these videos and try some stuff, youll never know what works for you unless your willing to try stuff. Stuff from doctors treatments to your own treatments based on knowledgeable people out here. im hoping you have had some relief of your symptoms by now. if you havent im hoping you have ease in transitioning with work. Peace and blessings

  3. Glenn:
    Someone just recommended this site to me and I’ve learned a fair amount already! I’m 70 years old and have had Meniere’s for at least 10 years. I no longer suffer from the vertigo and brain fog (thankfully) but have big problems with my hearing. My triggers seem to be sodium, cold winds, and excess noise. I’m quite sensitive to sound and have ordered the earplugs you have recommended. I’ll let you know how they work. These days I use the fluted earplugs with a thin coating of petroleum jelly to get good contact. That works, especially on my motorcycle–I also have a very quiet helmet (Arai) and a quiet bike (BMW) so the motorcycling does not bother, in fact sometimes I go for a ride and come back hearing better! My main problem is that things like overhead HVAC fans used in large auditoriums, fans in general, and the interiors of vehicles, all of which produce low frequency and infra-sound, conspire to shut my ears down! A five minute ride in my truck without ear protection will result in considerable hearing loss for hours if not days. I am wondering if you or anyone else has experienced that phenomenon (Dr. says it is related to something called the Tulio Effect)? It is difficult to exercise in these Wisconsin winters as the cold and wind are very nasty on my hearing ability, but I have found a nifty headband on Amazon which has pockets for handwarmers that keep my ears warm and toasty. In the warm weather I, too, do a lot of bicycling which, along with the extra consumption of water, really helps. Alas, my hearing has deteriorated to the point where a Cochlear Implant will soon be required.

  4. With the earplugs does the tinnitus get worse at times? My issue is if I block all noise the ringing in my ears sometimes gets way worse to the point where it has caused a bad episode when I put noise canceling ear muffs on to use a ship vac under my stairs at home.

Leave a Reply

The Symptom Relief Project Disclaimer

  • Those who should not listen to the Symptom Relief Project include: Those who are prone to or have had seizures, epileptic, pregnant or wear a pacemaker, whether knowingly or not, should not listen the Symptom Relief Project.

    Those who should consult a physician before the use of this product include: individuals under the influence of medication or drugs. The Symptom Relief Project should not to be used while under the influence of alcohol or other mood altering substances, whether they be legal or illegal.

    Children under the age of 18 are to be examined by a physician for epilepsy or illnesses that may contribute to seizures prior to listening to the Symptom Relief Project, as they are more susceptible to seizures.

    Finally, DO NOT LISTEN TO THE SYMPTOM RELIEF PROJECT WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINERY.

    Although the Symptom Relief Project’s aim is to contribute to wellness, it is not intended as a replacement for medical or psychological treatment. No medical claims are intended, express or implied. No statements made in the application or related documentation have been evaluated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Do not stop taking any of your prescribed medication.

    The buyer/user of The Symptom Relief Project assumes all risks in the use of the Symptom Relief Project, waving any claims against Glenn Schweitzer and Mind Over Meniere’s for any and all mental or physical injuries. This includes all self-created suggestions for mood altering, brain wave states altering, and for self-improvement or motivation. The buyer/user also agrees to assume liabilities when other persons have access to the Symptom Relief Project.

    In no case will Glenn Schweitzer or Mind Over Meniere’s be liable for chance, accidental, special, direct or indirect damages resulting from use, misuse or defects of the audio, instructions or documentation.