*Personal Testimonials Sent in by Meniere’s Patients
 Imagine a world where the world around you won’t stop spinning, a piercing ringing fills your ear, and you suddenly lose your balance without warning. Picture living with these symptoms day after day — losing jobs, relationships, and the ability to participate in everyday life, all while those around you struggle to understand.
This is life with Ménière’s (men-years) Disease, a chronic, incurable, invisible vestibular disorder marked by violent vertigo, dramatic hearing loss, relentless tinnitus and painful ear pressure (among other symptoms). Isolated and often misunderstood, those with Ménière’s are forced to become their own advocates, educating family, friends, and even healthcare providers about a condition few recognize.
Unheard: The Ears of Ménière’s is a documentary born from that silence. It aims to raise awareness, foster empathy, and give voice to the millions living with this devastating yet unseen illness Through powerful personal stories from Ménière’s warriors — including author and tech evangelist Guy Kawasaki and famed painter Vincent van Gogh — paired with immersive cinematography and sound design, the film will recreate the disorienting symptoms of the disease, allowing audiences to viscerally experience just how physically and emotionally debilitating it can be..
Neurotologists Dr. Sujana Chandrasekhar (Former President, American Otological Society) and Dr. Kevin Peng (The House Institute Foundation) will provide the most up-to-date medical information.
The producer-director of Unheard: The Ears of Meniere’s, a veteran film and television executive, was diagnosed with Meniere’s 11 years ago and is committed to developing a thoughtful documentary that will inform, entertain, and inspire others. To help support our independent production go to our Donate page.
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Guy Kawasaki Explains Why He Is Participating in the Documentary
Dr. Kevin Peng Discusses The Importance Of The Documentary

Film Synopsis

The room spins violently. The ground vanishes beneath your feet. A relentless buzzing fills your ears as painful pressure builds in your head. It strikes without warning — like a thief in the night, stealing your health. Life changes in an instant. But how? And why? Ménière’s Disease is a startling secret hiding in plain sight. This chronic, incurable vestibular disorder silently robs thousands of their ability to hear, stand, work, and connect with the world around them — forcing them into lives of isolation and unjust compromise. You can’t see it, and they can’t explain it. Unheard: The Ears of Ménière’s is a groundbreaking documentary that finally brings this invisible illness into the public eye. The film unravels the mystery of a condition that has quietly afflicted millions of people — from renowned painter Vincent van Gogh and astronaut Alan Shepard to actress Kristin Chenoweth and author Guy Kawasaki — yet remains largely unknown. Through intimate storytelling, immersive sound design, and disorienting visual effects that simulate symptoms like vertigo and tinnitus, Unheard pulls audiences inside the harrowing experience of those living with Ménière’s. It pieces together a complex medical and social puzzle, examining why awareness and research remain so scarce — and what it will take to change that. Follow the investigation into a disabling disease that has been unheard for far too long.

Documentary Team

Janine McGoldrick - Producer/Director
Janine is a producer of documentary films and podcasts. She recently co-produced NINA is An Athlete and was an assistant producer for American Graveyard. A veteran entertainment publicist, she developed tactical promotional campaigns for film, television, and home entertainment. Most notably, as SVP at the independent film company Cohen Media Group (CMG), she led the awards campaign for the Academy Award®-winning film The Salesman. At CMG, she worked closely with the CEO, Marketing, Distribution, and Acquisition teams to provide counsel on release schedules, festival campaigns, and films targeted for procurement. Previously, Janine worked at HBO supervising publicity for the Consumer Marketing, Global Licensing, and Home Entertainment divisions. A gifted project manager, McGoldrick has worked with numerous studios, including Universal Pictures, Artisan Entertainment, Lionsgate, BBC, Hart-Sharp, New Line, and the NY International Children’s Film Festival, to help launch some of the most exciting releases in entertainment. She is a member of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys) and NY Women in Film & Television.
Amanda Niqole White– Co-Producer
Amanda Niqole is a visionary director, writer, producer and post production supervisor with over 17 years of experience in television, film, and media production. Known for her creativity and leadership, she has collaborated with major advertising agencies and production companies, while also developing original content for film and digital platforms.
Amanda’s film credits include Hanging in There, Clout, and her directorial film debut Till Death Do Us Part, which earned her a nomination for Best Director at the Atlanta Women’s Film Festival. She also made her stage directorial debut with the Off-Broadway production of COLORBLIND in 2022, and directed the national tour of the award-winning play SECRETS in 2024.
Adriana Serrato - Director of Photography
Adriana Serrato is a Director of Photography who has worked on feature films, documentaries, music videos, and commercials ranging across multiple genres, including Children of God, In the Light of the Moon, Murdered and Missing in Montana, and Represent Justice. Her work has received recognition and excellence awards from the California Film Award, Ouchy Film Awards, Roma Cinema DOC, and European Cinematography Award.

Partner Organizations

For more information on Meniere's Disease, please visit some of our partner organizations: