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Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection.
Labyrinthitis causes a very delicate structure inside your ear called the labyrinth to become inflamed, which affects your balance and hearing.
Symptoms of labyrinthitis
Common symptoms of labyrinthitis are:
In some cases the symptoms can last longer and have a significant impact on your quality of life and ability to carry out everyday tasks.
What causes labyrinthitis?
Labyrinthitis is caused by an infection in the labyrinth. The labyrinth is the innermost part of the ear.
It contains:
cochlea : a small spiral-shaped cavity that relays sounds to the brain and is responsible for hearing
vestibular system: a set of fluid-filled channels that contributes to your sense of balance
Labyrinthitis usually follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu . The infection can spread from the chest, nose, mouth and airways to the inner ear.
Infections can also affects rest of the body such as measles mumps or glandular fever , are a less common cause of viral labyrinthitis.
In rare cases, labyrinthitis can be caused by a bacterial infection. Bacterial labyrinthitis is more likely to affect young children and can be serious.
Labyrinthitis can also develop in people who have an underlying autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue rather than fighting off infections.
Complications:
Higher risk of causing permanent hearing loss, particularly in children who've developed it as a complication of meningitis.
A hearing test is recommended after having bacterial labyrinthitis.
Cochlear implant is recommended bacterial labyrinthitis. This is a small hearing device fitted under the skin behind your ear during surgery.
