Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the labyrinth, a maze of fluid-filled channels in the inner ear. Vestibular neuritis is inflammation of the vestibular nerve (the nerve in the ear that sends messages related to motion and position to the brain).^[2][3][4] Both conditions involve inflammation of the inner ear.^[5] Labyrinths that house the vestibular system sense changes in the head's position or the head's motion.^[6] Inflammation of these inner ear parts results in a vertigo (sensation of the world spinning) and also possible hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).^[6] It can occur as a single attack, a series of attacks, or a persistent condition that diminishes over three to six weeks. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, and eye nystagmus.

The cause is often not clear. It may be due to a virus, but it can also arise from bacterial infection, head injury, extreme stress, an allergy, or as a reaction to medication. 30% of affected people had a common cold prior to developing the disease.^[1] Either bacterial or viral labyrinthitis can cause a permanent hearing loss in rare cases.^[7] This appears to result from an imbalance of neuronal input between the left and right inner ears.^[8]