In a group of 125 operated patients with a unilateral vestibular schwannoma in 22, i.e. 17.6% the disease was manifested by acute cochleovestibular symptomatology, atypical for a tumour. The authors discuss possible reasons ensuing from pathological anatomical and pathophysiological findings. These findings of initial acute manifestations of the tumour, in extreme cases very similar to Méniere’s disease or frequently also by coincidence of the coc hlear and retrocochlear component of hypacusia with a slow course of the disease must be therefore considered in the differential diagnosis. For early diagnosis which is decisive for the extend and severity of the postoperative morbidity the surgeon must select sufficiently sensitive diagnostic tests.

        Key words: vestibular schwannoma, cochlear symptomatology.