What is labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis is a condition of your inner ear where your labyrinth becomes inflamed.

The labyrinth is a delicate structure deep inside your ear. It's important for your hearing and balance.

What are the symptoms of labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis can affect your balance and cause vertigo. This can also make you feel:

• dizzy or unsteady — you may find it hard to walk in a straight line
• like you are falling or spinning even when you are standing still
• nauseous or like you are going to vomit — almost like sea sickness

These symptoms can happen if you change position or move your head in a different direction. Severe vertigo can impact your ability to do normal activities, like getting out of bed or walking down the street.

Labyrinthitis also affects your hearing. You may experience hearing loss. You may also have buzzing or ringing in your ears (tinnitus). It can impact one or both of your ears.

Other symptoms depend on the cause of your labyrinthitis. These might include:

• ear pain or a feeling of pressure inside your ear
• fluid or pus leaking out of your ear
• a high temperature (fever) of 38°C or above
• changes in vision, such as blurred vision or double vision
• rapid eye movements that you can 't control
• a sore throat
• a headache

Symptoms can start suddenly and last from a few seconds up to a few days. If you have labyrinthitis, vertigo symptoms may occur over some months. They should improve over time.

What causes labyrinthitis?

The most common cause of labyrinthitis is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu.

Infections that affect your whole body can also cause labyrinthitis, such as mumps and measles.

Less commonly, a bacterial infection can cause labyrinthitis. This can happen as a complication of meningitis or a middle ear infection.

Some autoimmune conditions can also lead to labyrinthitis.

Labyrinthitis can also arise from other causes of inflammation, like:

• a haemorrhage
• a tumour
• an injury to your head or ear

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor straight away if you have any symptoms of labyrinthitis.

If you are feeling dizzy, do not try to drive or walk. You can ask a friend or family member to take you to the doctor. If you have severe symptoms and need emergency care, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

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When to seek urgent care

Seek emergency care if you also have symptoms like:

• problems with your speech
• pain in your face
• numbness in your face
• weakness in your body

These can be signs of a stroke.

You should also seek emergency care if you have:

• severe nausea or vomiting
• sudden problems with your vision
• a severe headache

These can be signs of meningitis.

If your vertigo or hearing symptoms do not improve or get worse, see your doctor urgently.

You should also seek urgent care if you have severe pain in your ear.

How is labyrinthitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will talk to you and examine you. They may:

• ask you to move your head rapidly from side-to-side or up and down
• check whether you have an ear infection
• do hearing tests
• check your eye movements

In some cases, your doctor may also organise tests such as:

• blood tests
• a lumbar puncture
• a CT scan
• an MRI scan

This can help rule out serious conditions such as meningitis or a stroke.

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How is labyrinthitis treated?

The right treatments for you will depend on the cause of your labyrinthitis and what your symptoms are.

Your symptoms may also get better without treatment.

Self-care at home

There are things you can do to help ease your symptoms:

• lie still during dizzy episodes
• drink plenty of water if you're vomiting (being sick)
• avoid noise and bright lights
• try to get enough sleep

It can also help to keep moving, such as by going for walks. It's a good idea to have someone with you until you become confident on your own.

When you're moving, keep your eyes focused on a fixed object. This can help you manage vertigo symptoms.

If you feel dizzy, do not:

• drive
• cycle
• use heavy machinery

Do not drink alcohol as this can make your symptoms worse.

Medicines for labyrinthitis

For bad cases of labyrinthitis, your doctor may prescribe medicines to treat your symptoms such as:

• corticosteroids — to reduce inflammation in your inner ear
• antiemetics — to help stop nausea or vomiting
• antibiotics — if your labyrinthitis is caused by a bacterial infection
• antivirals — if your labyrinthitis is caused by a viral infection
• antihistamines — to help reduce your vertigo symptoms

Some people may benefit from a short course of benzodiazepines. This may also reduce your vertigo symptoms.

Other treatment options

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist physiotherapist. They can give you exercises to help restore your balance. This is called 'vestibular rehabilitation therapy'.

Living with labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis can cause mild to severe hearing loss. People with hearing loss may benefit from a hearing aid or cochlear implant.

What are the complications of labyrinthitis?

If your labyrinthitis has caused hearing loss, it may be irreversible.

Can labyrinthitis be prevented?

Labyrinthitis is usually caused by an infection.

You can help prevent labyrinthitis by avoiding infection. Practising good hand hygiene and getting vaccinated can help prevent infections.

You can read more about vaccine preventable diseases.

If you have had labyrinthitis, vestibular rehabilitation therapy with a physiotherapist can help prevent your balance symptoms from returning.

Resources and support

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.