Labyrinthitis: What It Is and How Physiotherapy Can Help
Have you recently had a cold or viral illness, only to be hit by a sudden wave of dizziness, hearing changes, or a sense of spinning? You may be experiencing labyrinthitis – a condition that affects both your balance and hearing systems.
Labyrinthitis can be unsettling, even frightening, but the good news is: you can recover with the right support. At Motion Health Rehab in Capalaba and Underwood, our physiotherapists offer vestibular rehabilitation to help you regain your balance, reduce dizziness, and get back to normal life.
What Is Labyrinthitis?
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear disorder caused by inflammation of the labyrinth, a structure deep inside the ear that helps control balance and hearing.
The condition often follows a viral infection, such as a cold or flu, but it can also be caused by bacterial infections or other inflammatory triggers.
Because the labyrinth contains both the vestibular system (for balance) and the cochlear system (for hearing), symptoms affect both areas – unlike vestibular neuritis, which typically affects balance only.
Common Symptoms of Labyrinthitis
Symptoms may come on suddenly and include:
- Vertigo (a spinning sensation, especially with head movements)
- Dizziness and imbalance
- Hearing loss in one ear
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear)
- Ear fullness or pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
These symptoms may last several days to a week during the early (acute) phase, and balance issues can linger for several weeks if not treated.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually involves a clinical assessment by your GP or physiotherapist. You may be referred for additional tests like hearing assessments or scans to rule out other causes.
At Motion Health Rehab, our vestibular-trained physiotherapists will assess your balance, eye movement coordination, and functional mobility to determine whether vestibular rehab is appropriate.
How Can Physiotherapy Help Labyrinthitis?
In the early stages, rest and symptom management are important. However, once the infection has settled, vestibular physiotherapy becomes the key to recovery.
We help you retrain your brain to adjust to changes in your balance system through neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt.
Physiotherapy for labyrinthitis may include:
- Gaze stability exercises to improve visual focus during movement
- Balance retraining to reduce unsteadiness and fall risk
- Habituation exercises to reduce sensitivity to movement
- Walking and mobility drills to restore confidence
- Home programs tailored to your symptoms and lifestyle
Without rehab, your brain may struggle to fully compensate – leading to lingering dizziness, anxiety, or activity avoidance.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Most people recover from the acute infection within a week, but balance and dizziness symptoms can last for weeks or months without treatment.
With vestibular physiotherapy, many patients experience significant improvement within 4–6 weeks, depending on the severity of symptoms and how soon therapy begins.
Get Support for Labyrinthitis in Capalaba and Underwood
If you’re feeling dizzy, off-balance, or have ongoing symptoms after a recent illness, don’t ignore it. Our team at Motion Health Rehab has extensive experience treating labyrinthitis and other vestibular conditions.
We offer personalised care and work closely with your GP and specialists to get you the best outcomes.
