Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection that causes a delicate structure deep inside your ear (the labyrinth) to become inflamed.

The labyrinth is a maze of fluid-filled channels that control hearing and balance. There is one inside each ear in the bone at the base of your skull.

When your labyrinth becomes inflamed, the information it sends to your brain will be different from that sent from your unaffected ear and your eyes. This difference can make you feel dizzy or that you are moving when you are still (vertigo).

If the hearing part of the labyrinth is inflamed, your hearing can be affected. See the Symptoms section for more information.

Labyrinthitis is usually caused by a viral infection or, less commonly, a bacterial infection (see Causes). It can affect one or both ears.

Who is affected?

The infection can occur in people of any age but is rare in children. Viral labyrinthitis tends to affect adults between the ages of 30 and 60.

How serious is it?

Labyrinthitis is usually a mild condition that the body's immune system fights off within a few weeks. In the meantime, medication can relieve some of the symptoms (see Treatment).

Some cases are more serious and can permanently damage your hearing and balance.