■ OBJECTIVE: The association between autoimmune processes and inner ear function had been reported in numerous studies in past decades.

■ A CASE REPORT: 32 year male patient approached our clinic with symptoms of right-sided sudden hearing loss confirmed by PTA as deafness, and vertigo with decreased vestibular function. After four months from the onset, he complained to diplopiae, tinnitus , hearing loss in the left ear and vertigo with bilaterally decreased vestibular function. Laboratory findings: fastened SER, increased Leukocyte rate, CRP, Anti- Nuclear-Antibodies (ANA)_present. CSF findings showed increased protein rates. Immunoelectroforesis and ANCA follow to be set. Patient treatment with corticosteroids, vasodilators and supportive therapy showed no improvement of the hearing function, whether ocular and vestibular symptoms showed slight regression.

■ CONCLUSION: Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease may present in a fashion similar to that seen in sudden deafness, but they are two distinct disorders. Sudden hearing loss is almost always unilateral whereas AIED is bilateral by definition, although at initial presentation it may not affect both ears.In fact during first months of evaluation, the two entities may be difficult to be distinguished, therefore all patients with suspected AIED, should undergo appropriate systemic investigation eg.recurent or chronic ocular disease, sinusitis, inflammatory bowel disease and also routine serologic tests.