Acoustic Neuroma: A Slow-Growing Tumour on the Hearing Nerve

An acoustic neuroma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that grows on the nerve connecting the ear to the brain. It usually grows slowly, pressing on the nerves for hearing and balance as it does.

Symptoms

At first there may be no symptoms, or mild ones:

• hearing loss on one side;
• ringing in the ears;
• dizziness and balance problems.

In time the tumour can also cause numbness or paralysis of the face. If it grows large enough to press on the brain, it can become life-threatening.

Diagnosis

Acoustic neuroma can be hard to diagnose, because its symptoms resemble those of middle-ear problems. Ear exams, hearing tests and scans can show whether you have one.

Treatment

• Small tumours may only need regular check-ups.
• When treatment is needed, the options are surgery and radiation.

When tumours affect both hearing nerves, the cause is often a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis.

Sources

• "Acoustic Neuroma," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH). https://medlineplus.gov/acousticneuroma.html
• The source gives the institute's name without "Other"; its name is the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.