Acoustic neuromas grow from a type of cell called a Schwann cell. Schwann cells cover nerve cells, helping to keep them insulated. Acoustic neuromas are therefore sometimes called vestibular Schwannomas.
The cause of most acoustic neuromas is unknown. There are no risk factors for developing an acoustic neuroma.
It is thought that a fault in a gene (unit of genetic material) that helps stop tumours growing may be responsible, although researchers have not yet identified the gene that is affected.
It is also not known what causes some acoustic neuromas to start or continue growing while others remain the same size.
Neurofibromatosis type 2
Around 5 out of 100 cases of acoustic neuroma are caused by a rare, inherited condition called neurofibromatosis type 2.
Neurofibromatosis causes soft, benign (non-cancerous) tumours to grow on the nerve tissue in the body. Neurofibromatosis type 2 can cause tumours to grow on the acoustic nerve and sometimes on the skin. It can also cause other conditions, such as cataracts (cloudy patches that grow over the lens of the eye).
Neurofibromatosis type 2 usually affects both acoustic nerves. This means that the hearing in both of your ears is more likely to be affected.
See the Health A-Z topic about Neurofibromatosis for more information about this condition.
