An acoustic neuroma, which is also known as a vestibular Schwannoma, is a benign (non-cancerous) brain tumour (growth).
An acoustic neuroma grows on the acoustic nerve (vestibulocochlear nerve), which helps control hearing and balance. The acoustic nerve runs alongside the facial nerve, which carries information from the brain to the muscles of the face.
Therefore, acoustic neuromas can cause problems with:
- hearing – causing hearing loss or tinnitus (the perception of noise inside the ear or ears that comes from inside the body rather than from an outside source)
- balance – causing vertigo (the sensation of movement even when completely still)
- the facial muscles – causing numbness
The symptoms of an acoustic neuroma can vary in severity, and they tend to develop gradually (see Acoustic neuroma - symptoms).
How common is an acoustic neuroma?
All types of brain tumour are relatively rare. Every year, approximately 20 people out of every million in the population are diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma.
Acoustic neuromas tend to be more common in women than in men, although the reasons for this are not yet understood. People between 40 and 60 years old are most commonly affected. The condition is very rare in children.
Outlook
An acoustic neuroma tends to grow very slowly, and will not spread from the original site of the tumour. Sometimes, an acoustic neuroma is so small and grows so slowly that it does not cause any symptoms or problems.
An acoustic neuroma is not usually a life-threatening condition, but the symptoms can disrupt day-to-day life. For example, a loss of hearing may affect a person’s ability to communicate with other people.
In very rare cases, the tumour can grow large enough to press on the brain (see Acoustic neuroma - complications). However, most acoustic neuromas can be treated before they get to this stage using:
- surgery to remove the tumour
- radiotherapy (waves of radiation) to destroy the tumour
In many cases of acoustic neuroma, some degree of hearing loss may be permanent.
