Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumor that grows on the main nerve, which leads from the inner ear to the brain. The nerves connected to the main nerve can affect balance and hearing. If there is too much pressure on the nerve caused by the tumor, a person can suffer from hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and balance problems.

Acoustic Neuroma Risk Factors

Some people are more at risk of developing acoustic neuroma than others, for example, people who have neurofibromatosis type 2. This mutation is hereditary, and both parents must be carriers of the gene mutation for a child to have it.

Acoustic Neuroma Causes

The cause of acoustic neuroma is caused by a malfunctioning gene on chromosome 22. This chromosome has a tumor suppressor protein that is responsible for slowing the growth of Schwann cells, which cause the growth. The mutation prevents the protein from doing its job, and the cells are able to grow uncontrollably. It is not known what causes the gene mutation.

Acoustic Neuroma Symptoms

The symptoms of acoustic neuroma usually come on slowly. They are mild and even unnoticeable at first. The tumor may grow without any symptoms for years. Eventually, the symptoms will become noticeable, and a person may seek medical attention. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition are:

• Hearing loss
• Ringing  in the ear
• Unsteadiness and loss of balance
• Dizziness
• Facial numbness
• Muscle weakness

Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis

Acoustic neuroma is hard to diagnose in the early stages because the signs are so subtle. Doctors may accidentally find the neuroma while doing other routine medical scans. Most of the time, doctors will perform a hearing test to determine if there is any hearing loss. The extent and type of hearing loss can help doctors come up with a proper diagnosis. Other diagnostic tests include:

• MRI
• CT scan
• Internal ear exams

Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

There are different ways to treat acoustic neuroma. If caught in the early stages, the doctor may choose to simply monitor the patient to see if the condition worsens. If the neuroma is causing hearing loss or pain, doctors will likely perform surgery to remove the tumor and ease the symptoms. Radiation therapy is another option. It can shrink the tumor and relieve the symptoms.

Acoustic Neuroma Prognosis

Patients who are treated for acoustic neuroma often recover quickly and have no other symptoms. In many cases, hearing loss is restored, and the pain subsides. Those who do not receive treatment could face serious hearing problems and even permanent hearing loss. Although these tumors are usually benign, they can still lead to other health problems that are more serious.

Acoustic Neuroma Complications

If left untreated, acoustic neuroma may continue to grow and cause numerous problems and complications. The treatments used to shrink or remove the tumor may also cause complications. Some are more serious and require their own treatment, while others will improve on their own fairly quickly. Some common complications include:

• Hearing loss
• Facial weakness
• Facial numbness
• Ringing in the ear
• Balance problems
• Persistent headache
• Infection of the cerebro spinal fluid
• Stroke or brain bleeding