Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a benign, usually slow-growing tumor that develops from certain nerves in the inner ear. No one knows the exact cause or causes of acoustic neuroma. As an acoustic neuroma grows, it presses against the nerves associated with hearing and balance, resulting in early symptoms such as: one-sided or high-tone hearing loss, ringing in the ear, dizziness, and loss of balance. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, the doctor can describe the options available for treating an acoustic neuroma.

 

Acoustic Neuroma: An Introduction

An acoustic neuroma is a benign (meaning non-cancerous), usually slow-growing tumor that develops from the nerves associated with balance and hearing that supply the inner ear. An acoustic neuroma comes from an overproduction of Schwann cells -- the cells that normally wrap around nerve fibers like the skin of an onion to help support and insulate the nerves.
 
Other names for an acoustic neuroma include:
 

Acoustic Neuroma: Unilateral Versus Bilateral

An acoustic neuroma can affect one ear or both ears. When one ear is affected, it's known as unilateral acoustic neuroma. When both ears are affected, it's known as bilateral acoustic neuroma.
 
Unilateral Acoustic Neuroma
Unilateral acoustic neuroma affects only one ear. Unilateral acoustic neuroma accounts for approximately 8% of all tumors inside the skull. One out of every 100,000 individuals per year develops an acoustic neuroma. Symptoms may develop at any age, but usually appear between the ages of 30 and 60. Unilateral acoustic neuroma is not a hereditary condition.
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD