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Definition

Labyrinthitis is irritation and swelling of the inner ear. It can cause vertigo and hearing loss.

Causes

Labyrinthitis is usually caused by a virus and sometimes by bacteria. Having a cold or flu can trigger the condition. Less often, an ear infection may lead to labyrinthitis. Other causes include allergies or certain medicines that are bad for the inner ear.

Your inner ear is important for both hearing and balance. When you have labyrinthitis, the parts of your inner ear become irritated and swollen. This can make you lose your balance and cause hearing loss.

These factors raise your risk for labyrinthitis:

• Drinking large amounts of alcohol
• Fatigue
• History of allergies
• Recent viral illness, respiratory infection, or ear infection
• Smoking
• Stress
• Using certain prescription or nonprescription medicines (such as aspirin)

Symptoms

Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Feeling like you are spinning, even when you are still (vertigo).
• Your eyes moving on their own, making it hard to focus them.
• Dizziness.
• Hearing loss in one ear.
• Loss of balance -- you may fall toward one side.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Ringing or other noises in your ears (tinnitus).

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider may give you a physical exam. You may also have tests of your nervous system (neurological exam).

Tests can rule out other causes of your symptoms. These may include:

• Electronystagmography, and warming and cooling the inner ear with air or water to test eye reflexes (caloric stimulation)
• Head CT scan
• Hearing test
• MRI of the head

Treatment

Labyrinthitis usually goes away within a few weeks. Treatment can help reduce vertigo and other symptoms. Physical therapy focused on balance can be helpful for some people. Medicines that may help include:

• Antihistamines
• Medicines to control nausea and vomiting, such as prochlorperazine
• Medicines to relieve dizziness, such as meclizine or scopolamine
• Sedatives, such as diazepam (Valium)
• Corticosteroids
• Antiviral medicines

If you have severe vomiting, you may be admitted to the hospital.

Follow your provider's instructions for taking care of yourself at home. Doing these things can help you manage vertigo:

• Stay still and rest.
• Avoid sudden movements or position changes.
• Rest during severe episodes. Slowly resume activity. You may need help walking when you lose your balance during attacks.
• Avoid bright lights, TV, and reading during attacks.
• Ask your provider about balance therapy. This may help once nausea and vomiting have passed.

You should avoid the following for one week after symptoms disappear:

• Driving
• Operating heavy machinery
• Climbing

A sudden dizzy spell during these activities can be dangerous. Avoid other activities with a similar danger.

Outlook (Prognosis)

It takes time for labyrinthitis symptoms to go away completely.

• Severe symptoms usually go away within a week.
• Most people are completely better within 2 to 3 months.
• Older adults are more likely to have dizziness that lasts longer.

In very rare cases, hearing loss is permanent.

Possible Complications

People with severe vertigo may get dehydrated due to frequent vomiting.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if:

• You have dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, or other symptoms of labyrinthitis
• You have hearing loss

Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have any of the following severe symptoms:

• Convulsions
• Double vision
• Fainting
• Vomiting a lot
• Slurred speech
• Vertigo that occurs with a fever of more than 101°F (38.3°C)
• Weakness or paralysis

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent labyrinthitis.

References

Baloh RW, Jen JC. Hearing and equilibrium. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 396.

Holste K, Patil PG. Treatment of intractable vertigo. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 128.

Goddard JC, Slattery WH. Infections of the labyrinth. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 155.

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