What does ringing in the ears feel like with labyrinthitis?

The sound may be a high tone, buzz, hiss, or hum in one or both ears. With labyrinthitis, ringing can appear alongside vertigo, where the room seems to move, and difficulty walking in a straight line. You may also feel sick or find that head movements make the dizziness worse. Hearing can feel reduced or distorted. These inner-ear symptoms can be intense, but ringing by itself is not enough to identify labyrinthitis because earwax, other ear conditions, medicines, and noise exposure can also produce tinnitus.

Sit or lie somewhere safe when spinning starts, move your head slowly, and avoid driving, climbing, or operating machinery while balance is affected. Sip fluids if nausea allows and use prescribed treatment exactly as directed. Keep a note of when the ringing, dizziness, and hearing changes occur. A clinician can examine your ears, hearing, eye movements, and balance to guide the next step.

Seek urgent help for sudden hearing loss, severe headache, fainting, new weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, or inability to walk safely. Prompt assessment is also needed for persistent vomiting, severe ear pain, or fluid draining from the ear. Contact a clinician if ringing and balance symptoms are new, worsening, or not settling.

Could my hearing and balance symptoms fit Labyrinthitis? Do I need a hearing test? Which activities should I avoid while dizzy? What signs mean I should return urgently?