What is Labyrinthitis?

Q: What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up. Here are some other pros and cons: For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change. One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid, then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most a 30-minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly then you're probably better off with standard batteries. Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in Behind the Ear models. Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer warranty when it comes to replacing the battery. Looking for more information on rechargeable hearing aids? Read our dedicated page on the topic here

Q: Are behind the ear aids better than in the ear aids?

For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple. The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore in-ear aids tend to be less natural. However the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected. People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears. There is also the age old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get. Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid, as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.

Q: What are channels, and how many do I need?

Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all. The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex and it is really not that straightforward. Here are some reasons why: Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies. The range of sounds you hear are split into frequency bands or channels and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level. Less than six channels and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at, it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them. As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example, some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One m anufacturer has no channels at all.

Q: Where can I get the hearing aids covered?

Hearing aids are easily lost, misplaced or damaged and typically are one of the most expensive personal possessions an individual can own. We offer hearing aid warranty coverage for £80 per year per aid. Find out more about this service we provide here

Q: How much does the hearing test cost?

All our audiologists use the very latest technology and provide the full range of tests to accurately measure your hearing for free. Find out about what hearing healthcare services we offer all our customers here

Q: Do home visits cost extra?

Hearing Aid UK offers all their customers free home visiting services, even in a care home environment, for no extra cost. Including hearing tests, fittings, maintenance, check-ups and much more in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience. Find out more information about our home visits here

Q: How come you're much cheaper than other places?

Here, at Hearing Aid UK, we are dedicated to offering low hearing aid prices. We achieve this by having no head office and low marketing costs. Our hearing aid prices are amongst the lowest you will find anywhere in the world. Explore our prices, brands, and models here

What is Labyrinthitis?

Discover the symptoms, risk factors, causes, treatments, and prognosis

Overview | Symptoms and causes | Complications and diagnosis | Treatment and prevention | When to seek help

Prompt medical attention is key to successful treatment

A condition that is generally not dangerous, labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the labyrinth, a part of your inner ear. As this area is responsible for balance and hearing, it causes unpleasant symptoms such as vertigo. If ignored, labyrinthitis can result in long-term balance problems and permanent hearing loss.

Commonly affecting adults aged between 30-60, it is closely linked to vestibular neuritis. When comparing the two, labyrinthitis is a swelling of both your vestibulocochlear nerve, ultimately leading to both balance and hearing complications. Whereas vestibular neuritis results in one branch being inflamed, leading to balance issues only.

Due to the nature of the condition and the risks of future hearing and balance health problems, prompt treatment is key. But what do we know about labyrinthitis, and what should your next steps be if you suspect you have it?

Symptoms, causes, and risk factors

The known risk factors of labyrinthitis are certain medications (antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, and drugs that treat diabetes), excessive alcohol consumption, flu, smoking, allergies, fatigue, and stress. If you have labyrinthitis, your symptoms are usually sudden and may include:

Balance issues
Blurred vision
Struggling to concentrate
Dizziness
Hearing loss
Nausea and vomiting
Nystagmus (sporadic eye movements)
Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
Vertigo

The causes of labyrinthitis are usually viral infections; however, bacterial infections can also be the cause. Here are some common examples: Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes simplex, stomach flu, upper respiratory infection, and head injury (a very rare cause).

Related reading: Types of hearing loss

Complications and diagnosis

Labyrinthitis only gets more complicated if it is left untreated, as without the right medical attention, it can result in hearing loss, dangerous falls, and permanent damage to your inner ear.

Diagnosing labyrinthitis is performed by your local GP, who will examine you and go through your medical history. There are various tests they may do to confirm the condition as well as assess your balance, hearing, and how well your nervous system is functioning.

They will generally want to rule out other underlying health conditions, like vestibular neuritis, with tests such as:

Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Vestibular testing

Treatment, prognosis and prevention

The treatment for labyrinthitis ultimately depends on how severe your condition is. Your GP might recommend at-home remedies, physical therapy, medication or a combination of them all. Only the very complex cases need surgery, and such cases are extremely rare.

When we look at the available medications that can be prescribed for labyrinthitis, your GP might offer antivirals, antibiotics, corticosteroids (which reduce nerve inflammation), and drugs to manage nausea and dizziness (often diphenhydramine or fexofenadine).

Gentle exercises at home can help manage dizziness and imbalance if your symptoms are still ongoing after a few weeks. This is called vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Many also try some home remedies to ease the debilitating symptoms that are common with labyrinthitis. These might include:

Gargling warm salty water to help clear any blockage in your eustachian tube (connects your throat to your middle ear)
Applying a warm compress over your ear
Reducing alcohol intake
Meditation and mindfulness to reduce stress

How quickly people respond to treatment again varies depending on the severity, and also, what works for one person might not necessarily work for others. As a rule of thumb, labyrinthitis usually lasts for around six weeks; however, most people do start to feel improvements around two weeks.

As labyrinthitis is often a result of other health conditions, the best preventative advice would be to wash your hands regularly, especially during the colder months when there is a higher risk of developing a cold and flu.

When to seek medical help

If you experience vertigo, nausea, or balance problems, contact your healthcare provider immediately. They can help identify the cause of your symptoms and create a tailored treatment plan. Questions you could ask your GP if you are diagnosed with labyrinthitis:

How can I relieve my symptoms?
What tests do I need to undergo?
Are there medications I can take?
Is hearing loss a potential outcome?
What treatment options are available to me?

Think you might be suffering from labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis usually isn’t serious. But it can cause debilitating side effects. The resulting vertigo can make it hard for you to get out of bed and go about your daily life. Should you develop symptoms, don’t wait until they get worse.

Timely treatment can reduce the likelihood of long-term inner ear issues. However, if you have hearing loss due to prolonged labyrinthitis or another condition, we can help support you locally.

We offer free hearing assessments in a clinic in your area or in your very home at no extra cost.

Common FAQs about hearing aids and hearing loss

Is this the best hearing aid model for me?

If you are looking at this page then it is likely that an audiologist has suggested that you purchase this particular hearing aid, so is this the best model for you?

In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the model that best suits your needs. Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case.

Audiologist level of knowledge: The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids, however, some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and therefore may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you.
Do research: Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or fewer features than you need?
Be aware of sales targets: Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it.

If in doubt, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for. In the meantime, read all about our review of the best hearing aids for 2025 here

Do I need one hearing aid or two?