Exercises for labyrinthitis: what should you know?

Labyrinthitis affects the inner ear and can cause vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and sometimes hearing change or ringing. After the acute phase settles, your brain can practise using information from your eyes, muscles, and inner ear together. This is called vestibular rehabilitation. It may include looking at a fixed target while moving your head, walking while turning your head slowly, and standing with support while your balance improves.

A recent infection such as a common cold may occur before labyrinthitis, but ongoing or one-sided hearing symptoms deserve assessment because other inner-ear problems can resemble it.

Start seated or beside a stable surface. Fix your eyes on a letter or object and turn your head slowly from side to side, then up and down, for a short period. Rest until the spinning eases. Later, practise standing with your feet together near a wall, followed by short walks in a clear area. Increase only one feature at a time: speed, duration, or reduced hand support. Avoid ladders, driving, swimming alone, and sudden movements while balance is unreliable. A clinician or vestibular physiotherapist can tailor the exercises.

Arrange a GP Consultation if symptoms are not improving, return repeatedly, or make walking difficult. Seek urgent help for new weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, fainting, a severe sudden headache, chest pain, or inability to stand. Sudden hearing loss, severe ear pain, or persistent vomiting also needs prompt assessment. Do not exercise near stairs or traffic when vertigo is active.

Ask whether your pattern fits labyrinthitis, whether hearing should be tested, which exercise level is suitable, and how to reduce fall risk at home. Ask when it is safe to drive and whether medicines may be affecting balance.