A Clear Guide to Labyrinthitis
Specialised Recovery for Labyrinthitis
Sudden vertigo with hearing changes after infection? Labyrinthitis is a common inner ear inflammation that improves for most and is not typically serious. At Harley AVM, our team supports swift recovery. Seek urgent AVM care for persistent severe headache, facial paralysis, vision loss, confusion, or weakness. These critical warning signs demand immediate evaluation.
Inner-Ear Inflammation Affecting Balance and Hearing
An Overview of Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the inner ear structures responsible for both balance and hearing. It often causes sudden, intense vertigo accompanied by nausea, unsteadiness, and hearing changes in one ear. Symptoms can develop quickly and significantly disrupt daily activities during the acute phase.
The inflammation typically follows a viral infection and temporarily interferes with normal inner-ear signalling. Unlike vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis involves both hearing pathways and balance. Most people improve gradually as inflammation settles and the brain adapts. Accurate identification is important, as early management focuses on symptom control, hearing monitoring, and excluding alternative causes.
Pinpointing the Cause
Diagnosing Labyrinthitis
When to Get Checked
You should get assessed if sudden vertigo is accompanied by hearing changes, ringing in one ear, or a persistent imbalance that does not begin to settle after the initial days. Symptoms following a recent infection or illness that interfere with walking, work, or daily tasks warrant audiovestibular review.
You should seek urgent assessment if vertigo occurs with sudden hearing loss, severe headache, neurological symptoms, facial weakness, visual disturbance, or difficulty speaking. Early evaluation helps exclude serious causes and ensures safe, timely management.
How We Assess Labyrinthitis
At Harley Audiovestibular Clinic, our process begins with a detailed history from a senior audiovestibular physician, noting sudden vertigo, hearing loss, recent infections, and symptom progression to identify the hallmarks of labyrinthitis. We emphasise unhurried consultations with our consultants, creating a personalised symptom profile based on your full experience.
We advance with audiometry, vestibular tests like caloric stimulation, and imaging, if required, to assess inner ear involvement accurately. Our senior clinicians collaborate to interpret results with precision and care. This differentiated pathway enables us to deliver targeted rehabilitation plans that promote rapid recovery and lasting balance.
Major Insurance Providers Accepted
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Specialist Tests to Assess Hearing, Balance and Inner Ear Health
Harley Street Specialists in Hearing, Dizziness & Balance
Specialist Care for Labyrinthitis
Every Labyrinthitis case is different. Your consultant will create a tailored plan to address your specific symptoms and lifestyle – when it started, how it affects your day, and which tests and treatments are right for you.