Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 5/12/2008

Question
My symptoms began in January 2008 when I was diagnosed with a virus. Since then I have felt dizzy/light headed. Some days are better than others but every day I feel some degree of dizziness. It is not a spinning feeling, rather than an off balance feeling. Occassionaly I get a head rush kind of feeling with a sinking feeling in my stomach. Almost like I am on a rollercoaster. This normally only lasts a few seconds.
This morning when I woke up I felt as if my bed was moving. I also feel foggy in the head and seem to stare a lot. I had some sinus issues earlier in the year also and had a brain and sinus CT which showed minor sinusitis and the brain was clear. My GP diagnosed labrynthitis but has not actually examined my ears at all! I really need some help as this is causing my quality of life to suffer and causing me a lot of stress and anxiety.

Answer
Dear Ninna,
Sorry you feel so bad.  Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the balance portion of the inner ear.  It is very common after a viral infection and/or upper respiratory infection.  Based on this sequence of events, the doctor made his diagnosis.  Labyrinthitis usually clears up on its own, but it may take a few months.  Sometimes there can be residual dizziness that never gets better.  I suggest that, at this point, you see an ENT.  You should probably have not just a hearing test, but a special test of the balance system known as an Electronystagmography (ENG - done with electrodes) or a Videonystagmography (VNG - done with a little video camera).  This test will give more information on the status of your inner ear.  It will be given to you by an audiologist.  Sometimes vestibular rehabilitation will be prescribed to help you to rebalance yourself.  You may also be given a medication to relieve the symptoms.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology