Tullio_phenomenon Tullio phenomenon, sound-induced vertigo, dizziness, nausea and/or eye movements (nystagmus) was first described in 1929 by the Italian biologist Prof. Pietro Tullio. (1881-1941) During his experiments on pigeons, Tullio discovered that by drilling tiny holes in the semicircular canals of his subjects, he could subsequently cause them balance problems when exposed to sound.The cause is usually a fistula in the middle or inner ear, allowing abnormal sound-synchronized pressure changes in the balance organs.