Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis
What the FAA's documents say about labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Labyrinthitis (Vestibular Neuritis, Viral Labyrinthitis, Epidemic Vertigo, Acute Vestibulopathy)
Short version
The FAA's table sorts it into three rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AA single episode, now completely resolved | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BCurrent symptoms | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| Row CMultiple episodes separated by weeks to months | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis
- Row A · Examiner can issue
A single episode, now completely resolved. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from the PCP or ENT if it was a recent event), there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, no medication is needed, and there is no hearing loss. Its note says this condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.
A. Single episode now completely resolved … If the AME can determine: • The condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from PCP or ENT if recent event); • No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties; • No medication needed; and • No hearing loss Note: This condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered. … ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
- Row B · FAA review
Current symptoms. The table says the examiner should not issue if there are current symptoms, and that both the condition and medication to treat it are of aeromedical concern. Once resolved, it says to go to Row A; if symptoms are recurrent, to Row C. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
B. Current symptoms The AME should not issue if there are current symptoms. Both the condition and medication to treat are of aeromedical concern. Once resolved, go to Row A. If recurrent symptoms, go to Row C. … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA. Annotate (elements or findings) Block 60.
- Row C · Special Issuance
Multiple episodes separated by weeks to months. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
C. Multiple episodes separated by weeks to months … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Annotate (elements or findings) in Block 60.
- A note on the table, 1
The table's list ends by saying that if any underlying condition is found, see that page.
If any underlying condition is found, see that page.
The FAA pathways for labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis
- How this pathway works: Examiner can issueNo special pathwayRow A
- How this pathway works: Special IssuanceAuthorization for Special Issuance of a Medical CertificateRow C
- FAA reviewYour AME defers. The FAA decides.Row B
Which one describes yours?
The FAA's table sorts it these ways. Choose yours to see its plan.
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: Row A: what the examiner determines
A single episode, now completely resolved.For Row A, your AME determines the findings the table lists. If your AME can determine them, the table says ISSUE.
If the AME can determine
- The condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from the PCP or ENT if recent event)
- No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties
- No medication needed
- No hearing loss
At the exam
- Your AME annotates this information in Block 60
Show the FAA's words: Row A: what the examiner determines
If the AME can determine: • The condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from PCP or ENT if recent event); • No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties; • No medication needed; and • No hearing loss Note: This condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered.
ISSUE
FAA source: Labyrinthitis. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
FAA source: Labyrinthitis. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from the PCP or ENT if it was a recent event), there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, no medication is needed, and there is no hearing loss. Its note says this condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.Exam day- The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from the PCP or ENT if it was a recent event), there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, no medication is needed, and there is no hearing loss. Its note says this condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Single episode now completely resolved
If the AME can determine: • The condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from PCP or ENT if recent event); • No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties; • No medication needed; and • No hearing loss Note: This condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered.
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
FAA source: Labyrinthitis. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Row AExaminer issuesExaminer can issue
The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from the PCP or ENT if it was a recent event), there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, no medication is needed, and there is no hearing loss. Its note says this condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.
Row BDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table says the examiner should not issue if there are current symptoms, and that both the condition and medication to treat it are of aeromedical concern. Once resolved, it says to go to Row A; if symptoms are recurrent, to Row C. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
If the examiner defersRow CDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
A single episode, now completely resolved. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from the PCP or ENT if it was a recent event), there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, no medication is needed, and there is no hearing loss. Its note says this condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.
A. Single episode now completely resolved … If the AME can determine: • The condition has fully resolved without sequelae (with favorable notes from PCP or ENT if recent event); • No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties; • No medication needed; and • No hearing loss Note: This condition usually takes approximately one month before fully recovered. … ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
- Row B · FAA review
Current symptoms. The table says the examiner should not issue if there are current symptoms, and that both the condition and medication to treat it are of aeromedical concern. Once resolved, it says to go to Row A; if symptoms are recurrent, to Row C. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
B. Current symptoms The AME should not issue if there are current symptoms. Both the condition and medication to treat are of aeromedical concern. Once resolved, go to Row A. If recurrent symptoms, go to Row C. … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA. Annotate (elements or findings) Block 60.
- Row C · Special Issuance
Multiple episodes separated by weeks to months. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
C. Multiple episodes separated by weeks to months … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Annotate (elements or findings) in Block 60.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row B, current symptoms, DEFER, and says the examiner should not issue if there are current symptoms.
The table marks Row C, multiple episodes separated by weeks to months, DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row B, current symptoms, DEFER, and says the examiner should not issue if there are current symptoms.
B. Current symptoms The AME should not issue if there are current symptoms. … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA.
- Reason 2
The table marks Row C, multiple episodes separated by weeks to months, DEFER.
C. Multiple episodes separated by weeks to months … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
What a Special Issuance is
The Guide says an Authorization for Special Issuance, valid for a specified period, may be granted at the Federal Air Surgeon's discretion to a person who does not meet the established medical standards, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period the Authorization would be in force.
How the FAA pathways workGood to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
What a progress note must include
In most cases it should come from a visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days ago, and cover the history, medications with dosages and side effects, exam findings, test results, diagnosis, assessment and plan, prognosis and follow-up. The FAA's sheet says to make sure the physician adds the prognosis. A portal note or an After Visit Summary that does not meet these criteria is not enough, and neither is a simple "ok to fly" letter. The FAA's documents also call it a status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
your patient portal to print out “notes” or an “After Visit Summary (AVS).” … Patient Portal notes or an AVS that do not meet the criteria listed below for a detailed Clinical Progress Note are NOT sufficient for FAA purposes. … To be “current,” in MOST CASES, the detailed Clinical Progress Note should be from an evaluation in which you saw your treating physician no more than 90 days ago. … It Must include the following items: … A summary of the history of the condition, … Current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); … Clinical exam findings; … Results of any testing performed; … Diagnosis; … Assessment and Plan; … Prognosis (This item may not be on a standard progress note, make sure your physician adds this information.); and … Follow-up … Please note: A letter stating, “Mr. Smith is ok to fly” (or any other simple note), is NOT a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note and is NOT acceptable. … You may also see this called a “current status report” or “status report” in current FAA Guidance. Any reference to a “status report” equals the criteria listed on this sheet.
The examiner should not issue if there are current symptoms
The table says the examiner should not issue if there are current symptoms, and that both the condition and medication to treat it are of aeromedical concern. Once resolved, it says to go to Row A.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
The AME should not issue if there are current symptoms. Both the condition and medication to treat are of aeromedical concern. Once resolved, go to Row A.
Row A lists no medication needed
Row A lists no medication needed and no hearing loss among what the examiner determines.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
• No medication needed; and • No hearing loss
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.