What is an ear neuroma?

An acoustic neuroma, also known as a vestibular schwannoma, is a non-cancerous tumour that develops on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain. It is a rare tumour that affects middle-aged people and is usually slow-growing. The tumour develops from the Schwann cells covering the vestibular nerve, which directly affect balance and hearing.

What can an acoustic neuroma lead to?

Pressure from an acoustic neuroma can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ear, and problems with balance. 

What are the main symptoms of an acoustic neuroma?

Symptoms of an acoustic neuroma are often easy to miss and may take years to develop. Common symptoms include hearing loss, ringing in the affected ear, loss of balance, dizziness, facial numbness, and very rarely, weakness or loss of muscle movement.

What causes ear neuromas?

The cause of acoustic neuromas can sometimes be linked to a problem with a gene. Typically, this gene produces a tumour suppressor protein that helps control the growth of Schwann cells covering the nerves. Experts don't know what causes this problem with the gene. Often, therefore, there is no known cause for an acoustic neuroma.

How are they treated?

Treatments for an acoustic neuroma include monitoring, radiation, and surgical removal. Early diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma may help keep the tumour from growing large enough to cause complications such as total hearing loss. 

How dangerous are acoustic neuromas?

Acoustic neuromas are non-cancerous tumours that grow slowly and are usually not life-threatening. However, in rare cases, they can cause serious complications such as total hearing loss, facial numbness, and weakness or loss of muscle movement. The causes of death and side effects in acoustic neuroma surgery are of crucial significance in any attempt to improve the therapy of the tumour. The mortality rate for acoustic neuroma surgery is about 0.5 per cent.

How are acoustic neuromas diagnosed?

An acoustic neuroma is often hard to diagnose in the early stages because symptoms may be easy to miss and develop slowly over time. Common symptoms such as hearing loss also are associated with many other middle and inner ear problems. After asking questions about your symptoms, a member of your health care team conducts an ear exam. You may need a hearing test or an MRI scan.