Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma) Symptoms and Diagnosis
A vestibular schwannoma, or acoustic neuroma, is a non-cancerous (benign) tumor that grows on the vestibulocochlear nerve. This nerve connects your inner ear to your brain and is responsible for hearing and balance.
This rare tumor develops from the cells covering the nerve (Schwann cells) and typically grows slowly. As it gets larger, it can press on the hearing and balance nerves, causing hearing loss, ear ringing (tinnitus), dizziness or unsteadiness.
In most cases, the hearing loss happens in one ear and may worsen over time. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Learn About Acoustic Neuroma Care at UC San Diego Health
Can Acoustic Neuromas Become Cancerous?
The good news is that acoustic neuromas do not become cancerous. They grow very slowly, if at all, and don't spread to other body parts. But if they get too large, they can press on nearby nerves or parts of the brain, which might make symptoms worse.
In severe cases, severe complications can arise due to pressure on vital brain structures. Early diagnosis and treatment with monitoring, surgical removal or radiation therapy can help prevent this.
A diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma can be scary. Establishing a cooperative relationship with your treatment team is the first and most important step in treating acoustic neuroma. Our UC San Diego Health team takes a patient-centered approach and includes experts in surgery, radiology, genetics, radiation therapy, audiology and rehabilitation.
Our patient navigators, who are former acoustic neuroma patients themselves, will guide you through all the steps before, during and after treatment.
Acoustic Neuroma Symptoms
Consider seeing a doctor if you experience these possible signs of an acoustic neuroma:
- Hearing loss that happens in only one ear (or is worse in one ear)
- A ringing or buzzing sound in one ear (tinnitus)
- Dizziness or trouble keeping your balance (vertigo)
- Feeling like one ear is "full" or blocked without any obvious reason
Acoustic Neuroma Causes and Risk Factors
Radiation exposure to the head is the only environmental influence that has been definitively linked with an increased incidence of acoustic neuroma. No evidence currently exists for an association between cell phone use and the development of these tumors.
Acoustic neuroma is not generally considered an inherited disease; however, 5% of cases are associated with a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). These individuals show two-sided vestibular tumors often associated with other tumors around the brain and/or in the spine.
We offer genetic testing when appropriate. Most acoustic neuromas are sporadic (nonhereditary).
Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis and Evaluation
Hearing loss can have many causes, and in rare cases, it can be an early sign of an acoustic neuroma.
Diagnostic Steps
- An acoustic neuroma is often diagnosed by looking at your medical history, doing a physical exam, and using specific tests. Your doctor will ask about symptoms like hearing loss, ear ringing (tinnitus), or balance issues.
- The best way to diagnose an acoustic neuroma is usually with an MRI scan, which gives clear pictures of your brain and inner ear. If an MRI isn’t an option, a CT scan might be used instead. Your doctor may also suggest a hearing test (audiogram) to check for hearing loss, which is often one of the first signs of an acoustic neuroma.
- These tests help confirm if you have an acoustic neuroma and show its size and location. This information helps your doctor decide on the best treatment for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose UC San Diego Health for Acoustic Neuroma Treatment?
Video: How Expert Acoustic Neuroma Care at UC San Diego Health Changed Patient’s Life
