Labyrinthitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Recovery

What Is Labyrinthitis?

It’s an inflammation of part of your inner ear. It’s usually caused by viral infections and sometimes by bacterial infections. Having a cold or flu can trigger it, and you’re more likely to get it if you smoke. Labyrinthitis usually isn’t dangerous. But it can cause severe symptoms, such as lasting vertigo. Rarely, it can cause long-term balance issues and permanent hearing loss.

Labryirnthitis Causes

Your inner ear is important for both hearing and balance. It contains a system of loopy tubes and sacs called the labyrinth. When you have labyrinthitis, the parts of your inner ear become irritated and swollen. That disrupts information that flows from this area to your brain . This can make you lose your balance and cause hearing loss.

Labryirnthitis Symptoms

Labyrinthitis can not only affect your hearing but also make you feel dizzy. You might experience something more severe, such as vertigo. This is the sudden feeling that you or the inside of your head is spinning.

Other symptoms might include:

• Blurry vision
• Feeling unbalanced, like you’re about to fall
• Feeling lightheaded or like you’re floating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Ringing in your ears or hearing loss

Symptoms often appear without warning. For instance, you might notice them when you wake up one morning. This can be scary. If you feel lightheaded or have trouble with your balance or vision, call your doctor or go to the ER right away.

Types of Labyrinthitis

There are two main types, viral and bacterial labyrinthitis. Their symptoms can be similar. Your doctor will need to confirm which type you have before they can treat it.

Viral labyrinthitis

This type is more common than bacterial. But doctors know less about it. Some viruses seem to be linked. These include measles, mumps, hepatitis, and the types of herpes that cause cold sores, chicken pox, or shingles.

If you have viral labyrinthitis, it usually will affect only one ear. It might quickly run its course and seem to go away. But it can return without warning.

Bacterial labyrinthitis