Inner Ear Infection: Also Known as Labyrinthitis

Your ear is a fascinating organ that allows you to hear a loved one's voice, listen to music, and heed the sound of oncoming traffic. Your ear accomplishes these important functions with three different parts: the inner ear, the middle ear, and the outer ear. Each of these parts may become inflamed or infected when exposed to allergens, microscopic invaders, or injuries. When a child gets an ear infection, it is often a middle ear infection. Another type of ear infection is an inflammation of the inner ear. This is called an inner ear infection, or Labyrinthitis.

Located deep inside the ear canal, the inner ear contains the organs you need for hearing and balance. One of these organs is the labyrinth, a fluid-filled network of tiny canals. Half of the labyrinth helps send sound signals to the brain. The other half of the labyrinth helps your brain understand the position and movement of your head. An inner ear infection or labyrinthitis occurs when the canals and channels of the labyrinth become infected and swollen.

When a child or adult has an inner ear infection or labyrinthitis, one major symptom is vertigo. Worse than feeling dizzy, vertigo is a sensation of spinning or whirling that may lead to nausea and vomiting. Vertigo caused by an inner ear infection or labyrinthitis will usually subside in several days or weeks. However, for a month or longer, sudden head movement can bring back feelings of vertigo. Other inner ear infection symptoms may be temporary hearing loss, mild headache, and ringing in the ears.

The cause of an inner ear infection or labyrinthitis is sometimes a mystery. It can be caused by a bacterial middle ear infection that spreads to the inner ear. Then, if the inner ear infection spreads further inside the head, it may reach the lining of the brain and turn into a much more serious condition called meningitis.

When not caused by a middle ear infection, an inner ear infection or labyrinthitis may come from a flu or cold virus, head trauma, ear trauma, allergies, or even a tumor. If the symptoms of an inner ear infection or labyrinthitis are severe or last for more than a few weeks, you or your child may be suffering from a more serious condition that could require attention from a physician.