Labyrinthitis (vestibular neuritis) is swelling and inflammation of the inner ear that is usually caused by a virus or (although rarely) bacteria. The most common symptoms of labyrinthitis include hearing loss, vertigo, dizziness, loss of balance, and nausea. The most severe symptoms usually subside within a week, but in the meantime, you can take additional steps to help relieve symptoms and complications.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Relieve Labyrinth Symptoms at Home
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of labyrinthitis
The inner ear is very important for the senses of hearing and balance. Swelling due to labyrinthitis can impair hearing and balance which then causes a streak effect. The most pronounced effects that can be used to recognize labyrinthitis include:
- Vertigo (a spinning feeling when standing still)
- Difficulty focusing because the eye moves by itself
- Headache
- Hearing loss
- Loss of balance
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ear)
Step 2. Avoid activities that can cause complications or make your condition worse
Existing viral illnesses (colds and flu) as well as respiratory and ear infections will further increase the risk of labyrinthitis. However, some controllable things or activities can also increase your risk or make your condition worse if you already have labyrinthitis, including:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Fatigue
- Severe allergies
- Smoke
- Stress
- Certain medications (such as aspirin)
Step 3. Take an over-the-counter antihistamine
Over-the-counter antihistamines can be used to treat allergies and can help reduce congestion due to infections that may cause swelling and eventually lead to labyrinthitis. Commonly used antihistamines include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Clarinex), and fexofenadine (Allegra).
Most antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so read the side effects on the package carefully and follow the recommended dosage
Step 4. Take over-the-counter medications to treat dizziness
Since labyrinthitis is most often caused by a viral infection, you have to wait for your immune system to do its job and defeat the virus. Meanwhile, you can reduce the dizziness associated with labyrinthitis by taking over-the-counter medications. The most common over-the-counter medication used to treat dizziness is meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine, or Antivert).
Step 5. Treat vertigo
The effects of labyrinthitis usually appear in the form of attacks, not symptoms that come continuously. If you experience attacks of vertigo due to labyrinthitis, you can take the necessary steps to help reduce the effects. You must:
- Rest as much as possible and try to lie still without moving your head
- Avoid changing positions or moving suddenly
- Resume activities slowly
- Asking for help to walk so you don't fall and hurt yourself
- Avoiding bright lights, televisions (and other electronic screens), and reading during vertigo attacks
Step 6. Do some exercises to reduce vertigo
There are several exercises that can help reduce vertigo. The most effective exercise is the Epley maneuver. The Epley maneuver can help correct the position of small particles in the inner ear canal. When shifted out of place, the particles can trigger vertigo. To perform the Epley maneuver:
- Sit on the edge of the bed, in the center, and turn your head 45° in the direction that causes vertigo
- Quickly lie down on your side with your head still in the direction causing the vertigo. This will elicit a strong vertigo response. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
- Turn your head 90° in the opposite direction and hold for 30 seconds.
- Turn your head and body in the same direction at the same time (now lying on your side with your head over the edge of the bed 45° toward the floor). Hold for 30 seconds before sitting back down.
- Repeat this exercise five or six times until you no longer experience the vertigo response during the maneuver.
Step 7. Take the necessary precautions when your condition improves
While the most severe symptoms of labyrinthitis usually last for about a week, you may experience milder symptoms for the next three weeks (on average). Sudden bouts of dizziness while driving, climbing, or operating heavy machinery can prove dangerous while you're still recovering. Take the necessary precautions and consider consulting a doctor to find out when it is safe to resume activities as above.
Method 2 of 2: See a Doctor
Step 1. Know when you should seek immediate medical help
In most cases of viral labyrinthitis, the immune system will deal with the infection on its own. However, some rare instances of bacterial labyrinthitis can lead to much more serious (and potentially life-threatening) conditions such as meningitis. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Seizure
- Double vision
- Faint
- Severe vomiting
- The words spoken are not clear
- Vertigo with fever 38°C or higher
- Weak or paralyzed body
Step 2. Make an appointment with the doctor
Even if you don't experience any of the symptoms that would be classified as an emergency, you should still see your doctor if you have labyrinthitis. Your doctor will help diagnose whether your condition is caused by a virus or bacteria. Then, the doctor can take appropriate steps to shorten the duration of the condition, relieve symptoms, and reduce the risk of permanent hearing loss.
Step 3. Take the tests your doctor recommends
If your case leads your doctor to suspect a condition other than labyrinthitis, you may need tests to rule out other conditions. Your doctor may ask you to undergo:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Electronystagmography to test eye reflexes by warming and cooling the inner ear
- Computed tomography (CT) scan to take detailed X-ray images of your head
- MRI
- Hearing test
Step 4. Take the medication prescribed to treat labyrinthitis
Your doctor may prescribe antiviral agents for severe viral labyrinthitis or antibiotics if the cause is a bacterial infection. Whatever medication is prescribed, take it exactly as directed during the treatment process.
Step 5. Ask about medications that can relieve symptoms
In addition to prescribing medication to treat the underlying cause of labyrinthitis, your doctor may also recommend prescription medications to help with vertigo, dizziness, and other symptoms during the recovery process. Tell your doctor if you are taking an antihistamine, Dramamine, or other over-the-counter medication before your appointment, and then take only the medication your doctor prescribes. Some of the drugs commonly prescribed to relieve the symptoms of labyrinthitis are:
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine) to control nausea and vomiting
- Scopolamine (Transderm-Scop) to help with dizziness
- Sedative diazepam (Valium)
- Steroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone, or decadron)
Step 6. Ask about vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) for chronic conditions
If your symptoms do not improve with medication and become chronic, you should ask your doctor about VRT. VRT is a physical therapy that can help you adapt and improve the symptoms of labyrinthitis. Some of the most common strategies used in this therapy are:
- Gaze stability exercises: These exercises help the brain adapt to new signaling methods of the labyrinthine-affected vestibular system (a system that assists orientation). Common exercises include nailing your gaze to a specific target while moving your head.
- Canal retraining: Symptoms of chronic labyrinthitis can cause changes related to neural cues for balance and walking. This exercise improves coordination by helping you adapt to the sensory information that has been affected received from the eyes and the vestibular system.
- Prepare to see a physical therapist once or twice a week for four to six weeks for VRT sessions.
Step 7. Carry out the operation as a last resort
In very rare cases, the doctor may determine that aggressive surgery is needed to stop the development of complications of labyrinthitis from turning into potentially fatal meningitis or encephalitis. The surgery is a labyrinthectomy (removal of the infected inner ear) to help stop the infection from spreading.
