What Is an Acoustic Neuroma?
An acoustic neuroma is a type of slow-growing skull base tumor. Skull base tumors grow in or around the base of your skull.
Acoustic neuromas develop along the nerve that connects your inner ear and brain. This nerve helps with balance and hearing. Another name for an acoustic neuroma is vestibular schwannoma.
Is an Acoustic Neuroma Cancer?
No, acoustic neuromas are not cancerous. However, an acoustic neuroma can grow and press on your surrounding nerves or brainstem nerve. This growth can cause problems with your hearing and balance. Overtime, this can also cause problems with your brainstem function.
How Common Are Acoustic Neuromas?
Acoustic neuromas are rare. They affect about one in 100,000 people.
Meniere’s Disease vs. Acoustic Neuroma
Meniere’s disease is a chronic disease that affects your balance and hearing. Meniere’s disease and acoustic neuromas can cause similar symptoms. However, acoustic neuroma symptoms usually affect one ear. Meniere’s disease tends to affect both ears.
Acoustic Neuroma Causes
Researchers don’t know exactly what causes an acoustic neuroma. Some risk factors may increase your chances of developing the tumor:
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Age: Acoustic neuromas tend to develop in adults age 30–60.
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Genetic conditions: People with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 2, which causes nerve tumors, are more likely to get acoustic neuromas.
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Radiation exposure: Head and neck radiation may increase your risk of an acoustic neuroma.
Acoustic Neuroma Symptoms
Hearing loss in one ear is often the first sign of an acoustic neuroma. Hearing changes usually happen over time, but they can also come on suddenly. You may also have hearing loss that worsens, then improves, then worsens again.
You may experience additional symptoms:
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Difficulty understanding others’ speech
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Dizziness
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Facial tingling or numbness
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Feelings of fullness in one ear
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Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
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Trouble swallowing
Rarely, large acoustic neuromas may press against your brainstem. This can lead to severe symptoms, such as headaches, trouble controlling your movements, and confusion.
Visit your primary care provider if you notice any new or worsening symptoms. They may refer you to experts in neurology, otolaryngology, or skull base neurosurgery for further testing.
Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis
Your provider asks you about your symptoms and physically examines you. They may also use several tests to diagnose acoustic neuroma:
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Hearing tests: You go to an audiology (hearing) specialist for this test. They play specific sounds to measure your hearing.
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MRI: This imaging scan uses magnets and radio waves to look inside your head. You may get an MRI with a contrast injection. Contrast is a special dye that helps the tumor show up more clearly.
Find an Acoustic Neuroma Specialist
Acoustic Neuroma Treatment
Our acoustic neuroma specialists offer multiple treatments within a collaboration between neuro-otology and neurosurgery. We tailor your care plan to the tumor size, location, and your overall health.
Acoustic Neuroma Observation
You may not need immediate treatment for a small tumor. Your skull base specialist may recommend regular imaging scans to monitor its growth.
Radiation Therapy for Acoustic Neuroma
Radiation therapy shrinks and destroys tumor cells. We use an advanced technique called stereotactic radiosurgery. This treatment enables us to target tumor tissue precisely without affecting healthy tissue.
Surgery for Acoustic Neuroma
You may need surgery if the acoustic neuroma is large or growing. Your skull base surgeon may also recommend surgery if you have disruptive symptoms.
Our goal is to remove as much of the tumor as we can without affecting surrounding tissues.
Why Choose ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ?
Our team of skull base surgeons specializes in all types of skull base tumors. We perform high volumes of skull base surgeries. Getting care from an experienced team leads to better outcomes and lower complication rates.
We believe in collaborative care. All acoustic tumors are managed by a team of neuro-otologists and neurosurgeons with specialized training acoustic neuroma surgery. As a center of excellence, our providers are also leaders in research on the management and optimization of outcomes in acoustic neuroma treatment.
We’re dedicated to answering all your questions and coordinating your treatment efficiently. Our Destination Care Program is dedicated to helping out-of-state patients get the information and services they need. With everything we do, we aim to deliver advanced, effective, compassionate care.
Request an Appointment
If you believe you need an evaluation for an acoustic neuroma, you can make an appointment with one of our skull base tumor specialists.
You don’t need a referral, but we recommend checking with your insurance first. Some insurance providers require referrals.
