Hi. Yes, it is quite possible that your labrynthitis worsens due to altitude as high as 7000 feet (5000 to 11000 feet is high altitude). This can be multifactorial so it is hard to pinpoint what could be the exact cause for this. It is still a topic very much under research.
Hypoxia can reduce the oxygen reaching the Labyrinth and can trigger an inflammatory response. If the labyrinth is hypersensitive then small triggers can cause labrynthitis. Pressure changes due to altitude can also trigger a similar response. It is also common for viruses to be opportunistic in colder environments and they can travel from nasal secretions through the eustachian tube into the middle ear and then via the round window into the
inner ear.
Altitude sickness also leads to hypoxia that can explain the
lightheadedness and nausea and trigger a labrynthitis as well. Altitude sickness is predominantly associated with breathlessness on exertion, headache, nausea, lightheadedness,
drowsiness,
mild dizziness and
fatigue.
The best treatment for an active episode is to decelerate to a lower altitude till symptoms disappear. Labyrinthine sedatives may also help either during an episode or if taken prophylactically. However these must be prescribed only after an ENT evaluation which involves general examination, otoendoscopy, pure tone
audiometry, caloric test (to assess labyrinthine sensitivity) and basic lung function tests by a pulmonologist to ensure lungs are normal.