What causes labyrinthitis?

The inner ear contains organs that help detect movement and position. Inflammation can disrupt signals travelling from one ear to the brain, causing spinning vertigo, unsteadiness, nausea, and sometimes hearing changes or ringing. Symptoms may begin during or soon after a respiratory illness. Vestibular neuritis is closely related but usually affects balance nerves without the hearing changes associated with labyrinthitis. Other causes of dizziness can look similar, so the pattern and examination matter.

During an episode, sit or lie still in a safe place and move your head slowly. Avoid driving, heights, and operating machinery while balance is unreliable. Take small sips of fluid if nausea allows. A clinician can check your ears, hearing, eye movements, and balance, then advise whether medicine or vestibular rehabilitation may help.

Seek emergency help for sudden weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, a new severe headache, fainting, chest pain, or inability to walk safely. Sudden hearing loss, severe persistent vomiting, or dizziness that is new and intense also needs urgent assessment. Do not assume every spinning sensation comes from the inner ear.

Ask whether your symptoms fit labyrinthitis or another balance disorder, whether your hearing needs testing, and which activities are safe while you recover. Ask when balance exercises should begin.