What is an acoustic neuroma?
An acoustic neuroma is a benign growth on the main nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. This nerve is called the vestibular nerve. Parts of the nerve directly affect hearing and balance. When an acoustic neuroma puts pressure on the ear, it can cause hearing loss, ear ringing, and balance problems. Hearing nerve lumps are also known as vestibular schwannomas.
The Schwann cells that encapsulate the auditory nerve convert into an acoustic neuroma.
Acoustic neuromas tend to grow slowly. In very rare instances, they may grow and become large enough to push upon the brain and stop it from doing important things.
An acoustic neuroma could be treated by observing its growth, giving it radiation, or removing it surgically.
What are the signs of acoustic neuroma?
The most prominent sign is one-sided loss of hearing. Other manifestations can be as follows:
- Tinnitus or ringing in your ears.
- Disorientation problems.
- Vertigo.
Acoustic tumors develop very slowly. As such, they lead to further signs and symptoms as time passes. They include:
- Facial paralysis/ numbness.
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Changes in your taste.
- Choking or dysphagia.
- Blurred vision/blurred vision.
Why do acoustic neuromas occur?
These tumors arise from dividing Schwann cells. These cells, which are inside your body, help and protect your nerves in controlling the ability to hear and balance. Scientists are unaware of what might cause this. They do know that individuals afflicted with neurofibromatosis type 2 are exposed to developing acoustic neuromas on both sides of the head. Bilateral acoustic neuromas occur on nerves containing sound from either side of the brain.
How is an acoustic neuroma diagnosed?
Your doctor will get to know about your complaints and perform a physical examination. Such a doctor may conduct:
- Imaging tests include magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, and CT scans.
- Hearing tests, including auditory brainstem response.
- Balance tests.
- Electronystagmography.
What are the treatments for an acoustic neuroma?
Treatments differ depending on factors such as:
- Size and location of the tumor
- The impact the tumor has on your hearing and balance
- Your age and overall health
Treatment can include:
- Observation: If tests indicate the tumor is stable and you have no symptoms, your provider might suggest observation. They will keep track of you with repeat MRIs to look for any changes.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery: This therapy attacks the tumors with beams of radiation, focusing them on the tumor to minimize their effect on nearby healthy tissue.
- Microsurgery: Neurosurgeons utilize special equipment to perform surgery on extremely small parts of the body. This is the only type of treatment that can actually remove an acoustic neuroma.
- Chemotherapy: Providers may use the chemotherapy drug bevacizumab (Alymsys Avastin MVASI Zirabeva ®) in very rare cases. This drug can reduce the size of tumors, so children with acoustic neuroma will have a longer period to hear. The drug is also used for the treatment of radiation necrosis, which is a complication of radiation therapy.
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: Sometimes, surgery cuts parts of nerves that can control balance. Vestibular rehabilitation is a therapy that helps you compensate for losing such nerves and the functions that they control.
What are the chances of having an acoustic neuroma?
This will depend on your condition, the nature of the surgery, and complications. Your neurosurgeon will discuss the various treatment options and complications to prepare you for what lies ahead, including:
- Treatment options in case the tumor recurs.
- Such devices can include bone conduction hearing implants or CROS (contralateral routing of signals) hearing aids that might aid in improving hearing loss post-surgery.
How do I look after myself?
It's possible that your doctor will decide to watch your condition before treating you if you have an acoustic neuroma. If your hearing or balance changes, you might worry that the tumor is getting bigger. If that's the case, talk to your doctor about specific changes that show the tumor is affecting your nerves.
If the disease makes you feel bad, your doctor may suggest surgery to get rid of the tumor. There are times when surgery can hurt the nerves that control your balance. Then, your doctor will tell you that you should get vestibular retraining therapy.
What question should I ask my doctor?
If you have an acoustic neuroma, you might want to ask your doctor:
- Do I need to be treated, or will you just monitor the tumor?
- How likely is it that I'll be able to hear well again?
- How likely is it that the acoustic neuroma will come back after radiation treatment or surgery?
- Am I more likely to get other kinds of tumors?
- What are the pros and cons of surgery for an acoustic neuroma?
- Will I need to get better after surgery?
What is an acoustic neuroma?
An acoustic neuroma is a benign growth on the main nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. This nerve is called the vestibular nerve. Parts of the nerve directly affect hearing and balance. When an acoustic neuroma puts pressure on the ear, it can cause hearing loss, ear ringing, and balance problems. Hearing nerve lumps are also known as vestibular schwannomas.
The Schwann cells that encapsulate the auditory nerve convert into an acoustic neuroma. Acoustic neuromas tend to grow slowly. In very rare instances, they may grow and become large enough to push upon the brain and stop it from doing important things.
An acoustic neuroma could be treated by observing its growth, giving it radiation, or removing it surgically.
What are the signs of acoustic neuroma?
The most prominent sign is one-sided loss of hearing. Other manifestations can be as follows:
- Tinnitus or ringing in your ears.
- Disorientation problems.
- Vertigo.
Acoustic tumors develop very slowly. As such, they lead to further signs and symptoms as time passes. They include:
- Facial paralysis/ numbness.
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Changes in your taste.
- Choking or dysphagia.
- Blurred vision/blurred vision.
Why do acoustic neuromas occur?
These tumors arise from dividing Schwann cells. These cells, which are inside your body, help and protect your nerves by controlling your ability to hear and balance. Scientists are unaware of what might cause this. They do know that individuals afflicted with neurofibromatosis type 2 are exposed to developing acoustic neuromas on both sides of the head. Bilateral acoustic neuromas occur on nerves containing sound from either side of the brain.
How is an acoustic neuroma diagnosed?
Your doctor will learn about your complaints and perform a physical examination. Such a doctor may conduct:
- Imaging tests include magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, and CT scans.
- Hearing tests, including auditory brainstem response.
- Balance tests.
- Electronystagmography.
What are the treatments for an acoustic neuroma?
Treatments differ depending on factors such as:
- Size and location of the tumour
- The impact the tumor has on your hearing and balance
- Your age and overall health
Treatment can include:
- Observation: If tests show the tumor is not growing and you do not have symptoms, your provider may recommend observation. They will continue to monitor you with regular MRIs to check for changes.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery: This therapy attacks the tumors with radiation beams, focusing them on the tumor to minimize their effect on nearby healthy tissue.
- Microsurgery: Neurosurgeons utilize special equipment to perform surgery on extremely small parts of the body. This is the only type of treatment that can actually remove an acoustic neuroma.
- Chemotherapy: Providers may use the chemotherapy drug bevacizumab (Alymsys Avastin MVASI Zirabeva ®) in very rare cases. This drug can reduce the size of tumors, so children with acoustic neuroma will have a longer period to hear. The drug is also used for the treatment of radiation necrosis, which is a complication of radiation therapy.
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: Sometimes, surgery cuts parts of nerves that can control balance. Vestibular rehabilitation is a therapy that helps you compensate for losing such nerves and the functions that they control.
What are the chances of having an acoustic neuroma?
This will depend on your condition, the nature of the surgery, and complications. Your neurosurgeon will discuss the various treatment options and complications to prepare you for what lies ahead, including:
- Treatment options in case the tumor recurs.
- Such devices can include bone conduction hearing implants or contralateral routing of signals (CROS) hearing aids, which might help improve hearing loss post-surgery.
How do I look after myself?
Your doctor may decide to watch your condition before treating you if you have an acoustic neuroma. If your hearing or balance changes, you might worry that the tumor is getting bigger. If that's the case, talk to your doctor about specific changes that show the tumor affects your nerves.
If the disease makes you feel bad, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove the tumor. There are times when surgery can hurt the nerves that control your balance. Then, your doctor will tell you that you should get vestibular retraining therapy.
What question should I ask my doctor?
If you have an acoustic neuroma, you might want to ask your doctor:
- Do I need to be treated, or will you just monitor the tumor?
- How likely is it that I'll be able to hear well again?
- How likely is it that the acoustic neuroma will come back after radiation treatment or surgery?
- Am I more likely to get other kinds of tumors?
- What are the pros and cons of surgery for an acoustic neuroma?
- Will I need to get better after surgery?
Why Tender Palm Super-Specialty Hospital for acoustic neuroma?
Tender Palm Hospital, owned by doctors, is renowned for attracting the most experienced professional in the country. With the finest neurologist and neurosurgeons specialized in acoustic neuroma. Tender Palm stands out as the premier Neurology hospital in Lucknow, India. Boasting cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced technology, Tender Palm ensures top-notch medical care for its patients.
To seek an expert consultation for any Neurology condition
Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com
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