Acoustic Neuroma

Summary

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that develops on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. The tumor usually grows slowly. As it grows, it presses against the hearing and balance nerves. At first, you may have no symptoms or mild symptoms. They can include:

• Loss of hearing on one side
• Ringing in ears
• Dizziness and balance problems

The tumor can also eventually cause numbness or paralysis of the face. If it grows large enough, it can press against the brain, becoming life-threatening.

Acoustic neuroma can be difficult to diagnose, because the symptoms are similar to those of middle ear problems. Ear exams, hearing tests, and scans can show if you have it.

If the tumor stays small, you may only need to have it checked regularly. If you do need treatment, surgery and radiation are options.

If the tumors affect both hearing nerves, it is often because of a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Patient Handouts

• Acoustic neuroma Medical Encyclopedia
• Stereotactic radiosurgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Stereotactic radiosurgery – Gamma Knife Medical Encyclopedia

Videos and Tutorials

• Acoustic Neuroma Educational Video Acoustic Neuroma Association

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Neuroma, Acoustic National Institutes of Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Computed Tomography (CT) — Head Radiological Society of North America
• Diagnosing Acoustic Neuroma Acoustic Neuroma Association
• Head MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Radiological Society of North America
• When You Visit Your Doctor: Acoustic Neuroma Harvard Medical School

Find an Expert

• Directory of Organizations (Deafness and Communication Disorders) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Health Check Tools

• Do You Need a Hearing Test? National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Encyclopedia

• Head CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Head MRI Medical Encyclopedia

Reference Desk

• NIDCD Glossary National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Journal Articles

• Acoustic Neuroma

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Acoustic Neuroma Acoustic Neuroma Association

Treatments and Therapies

• Treatment Options – Overview Acoustic Neuroma Association

Related Issues

• Types of Post-Treatment Issues Acoustic Neuroma Association

Start Here

• Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma) and Neurofibromatosis National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
• What Is Acoustic Neuroma? Acoustic Neuroma Association