Whats wrong with my ear?

[aero93]

So four weeks ago I suddenly lost my hearing completely in one ear, became very dizzy to the point of throwing up and tinnitus started (over 1hr period). I couldn't walk or stand and had to crawl to the bathroom. This was remotely diagnosed as an inner ear infection and was told it would probably take a week or two and prescribed oral antibiotics, anti sickness (prochlorperazine) and Betahistine for the vertigo.

I also struggle to concentrate or focus on laptop/TV for too long.

Week2 - No change with the hearing loss/tinnitus but the vertigo improved slightly. Prescribed Otomize antibiotic spray.

Week3 - No improvement - GP looked at my ear and said it looks "ok" and to keep taking Betahistine and it will improve.

Week 4 - No improvement, still very dizzy and cant walk straight, deaf in one ear and tinnitus still present, so I am being referred to a ENT.

Any ideas what this could be? Do the symptoms magically go away?

[Captain Raymond Holt]

My old man has the extreme dizziness, sickness etc, diagnosed as labyrinthitis, symptoms ‘only’ lasted 24hrs at a time though.

Lists your exact symptoms I think!

[tyrone1973]

Depending on how old you are this could be a first episode of Meniere's although its unusual for a first episode to last long.
You have been referred to the correct team and they will be able to see and assess even with Covid restrictions.
Hope it goes well and you get an answer to this.

[JDiz]

Labyrinthitis or menieres disease unfortunately.

Hopefully not menieres

Will go away if Labyrinthitis, menieres and you are in for the long haul.

Edited by JDiz on Tuesday 3rd November 21:08

[Riley Blue]

I've had labyrinthitis. It lasted for no more than 48 hours though I had a four day stay in hospital as they suspected a stroke. That was several years ago, no re-occurrence.

[aero93]

tyrone1973 said:

Depending on how old you are this could be a first episode of Meniere's although its unusual for a first episode to last long.
You have been referred to the correct team and they will be able to see and assess even with Covid restrictions.
Hope it goes well and you get an answer to this.

Just turned 40.. Falling apart already :-)

[xx99xx]

Google SSHL (sudden sensorineural hearing loss). Could be this if total loss of hearing in one ear.

This happened to me many years ago. Hearing loss was permanent.

[Boosted LS1]

I've had labyrinthitis and sea sickness tablets sorted out the vertigo. I've also had BPPV and had to sort that out myself by lying down on the bed and moving my head into several positions. This can't be treated with tablets.

https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment...

[Boosted LS1]

OP lie down on the bed. Suddenly sit up and see if you have balance. If you go all dizzy I'll wager your eyes are shooting all over the place and this can be seen by a person who's with you. They can catch your head if you fall backwards.

[wombleh]

I had inner ear infection over summer that caused vertigo, although nowhere near as bad as you describe. GP said it can take take up to six months to go away. Was a good few months for me.

There are exercises that can help like epley, but depends what’s causing it as to whether it’ll work for you as they’re for fairly specific conditions. There is an exercise that’ll indicate if epley will help but unfortunately i can’t remember what, possibly the one described above. Your GP might know or be able to look it up, if it’s taking a while to see the ENT then might be worth giving them a buzz and asking.

[Lynx516]

Riley Blue said:

I've had labyrinthitis. It lasted for no more than 48 hours though I had a four day stay in hospital as they suspected a stroke. That was several years ago, no re-occurrence.

I'm non practicing ENT. Without any more information from the OP a stroke isn't a bad shout. Its too long really for labyrinthitis (usually a few days), inner ear infections in adults are rare and hurt like hell, SSNHL doesn't usually give you full on vertigo and Meniere's is rare as well.

If you had been referred to me urgently (as the sudden loss of hearing should have warranted) I would have asked for the stroke to be ruled out first. Difficult to work out best course of action given its 4 weeks out. I would phone your GP and suggest it might be a stroke and hopefully they should urgently refer you to the medics.