Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis are both inflammation in the inner ear or its balance nerve. They often follow a cold, flu or another viral illness, although sometimes there is no clear cause.
- In vestibular neuritis, the balance nerve is affected. Hearing is normal.
- In labyrinthitis, the inner ear itself is affected, so hearing can be affected too, with hearing loss or tinnitus in one ear.
What it feels like
- A sudden, severe, constant spinning that comes on over minutes to hours.
- Strong nausea and vomiting.
- Great difficulty standing or walking. Many people need to lie still.
- The worst of it usually eases over a few days.
After the first days, many people are left with unsteadiness and dizziness when they move their head, which improves over the following weeks or months.
How it is diagnosed
A doctor looks at your history and examines your eyes, balance and hearing. Because a stroke can look similar, doctors check carefully for signs that point to the brain rather than the ear.
How it is managed
- Medicines can ease sickness and vertigo in the first few days. They are usually used for a short time only.
- Getting moving gently as soon as you can, and vestibular rehabilitation exercises, help the brain adapt. A vestibular physiotherapist can guide this.
- Most people recover well. Some are left with longer-lasting dizziness, which is worth raising with your doctor because it can often be helped.
In VertigoMe
- Choose Vestibular neuritis or Labyrinthitis as your subtype in setup or Profile.
- During recovery you can track daily symptoms, the Exercises you do and how you feel afterwards, and take the DHI questionnaire every month or so to see the trend.
When to get help straight away
Sudden severe vertigo needs medical assessment, especially the first time. Call your local emergency number if it comes with a severe headache, double vision, slurred speech, a drooping face, weakness or numbness, or if you cannot stand at all. A sudden loss of hearing should also be checked urgently.
This is general information only. It cannot tell you what is causing your symptoms. Please speak to your GP, ENT, neurologist or audiologist about your own situation.
