Bechterew's phenomenon is a reversal of the direction of spontaneous nystagmus induced by sequential bilateral labyrinthectomy. This phenomenon occurs as a result of vestibular compensation and has been investigated extensively in various species. However, it is rarely observed in the human. We have seen a 64-year-old female patient with severe vertigo, ataxia, severe degree of sensori-neural hearing loss and tinnitus of three months' duration in the left ear following herpes zoster oticus. Electronystagmogram showed spontaneous nystagmus to the right side. Caloric test didn't elicit responses in both ears. Also oscillopsia was present. Five months prior to this episode, she had another spell of severe vertigo for two weeks. Left beating nystagmus was observed at that time in another hospital. Gadolinium enhanced MR images showed enhancement of the left inner ear. At follow-up one year later a caloric test showed several beats of weak nystagmus only in the right ear.