GREEN PEACE

The most common initial symptoms are progressive deafness and tinnitus which are frequently slight at the onset. Sooner or later vertigo occurs and is characterized by suddenness of onset and great severity. It may develop so suddenly that the patient may fall and at the height of the attack he may be unable to stand. The attack is usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting and there may be other autonomic symptoms. Deafness and tinnitus may be intensified during the attack which may last few minutes to several hours; examination during an attack shows rotatory nystagmus and ataxia. Between attacks there is only nerve deafness with impaired vestibular function as shown by caloric tests.