The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that each year in the United States, acoustic neuromas affect 10 people out of every million. Also called a vestibular schwannoma, an acoustic neuroma forms on the nerve which connects the brain to the ear. While an acoustic neuroma is not a cancerous tumor, it can affect hearing and balance. After treatment, patients must go through a period of recovery.
Symptoms
As the acoustic neuroma grows, it can cause symptoms that require treatment. MedlinePlus explains that the hallmark symptoms of an acoustic neuroma include ringing in the ear, hearing loss and vertigo. Patients may also experience a loss of balance, numbness or pain in the affected ear or face, dizziness, sleepiness or facial weakness. Other symptoms include problems with vision and understanding speech. The MayoClinic.com adds that while rare, an acoustic neuroma may put pressure on the brainstem, which can become dangerous.
Treatment Options
The University of Maryland Medical Center points out that if a patient has a small acoustic neuroma that does not cause dizziness, the doctor will observe the tumor using an MRI. If the acoustic neuroma does cause symptoms, treatment options include radiation and surgery. In radiation therapy, such as stereotactic radiosurgery or fractured stereotactic radiotherapy, the doctor targets the radiation at the tumor, which helps stop the growth of the tumor. The MayoClinic.com notes that the goal of surgical treatment is to remove the tumor without damaging the facial nerve, while maintaining hearing. Depending on the surgical technique, the surgeon may make the incision to access the tumor behind or above the ear.
Time Frame
Recovery time depends on the treatment. For example, patients who undergo radiation for an acoustic neuroma stay in the hospital for one to two days. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that recovery time is longer with surgery, with a four- to six-day hospital stay, followed by an additional four- to six-week recovery period while patients work on their strength and balance. Arthur Schoenstadt, MD, author of the eMedTV article "Acoustic Neuroma Surgery Recovery," adds that follow up visits after surgery start one to four weeks after the hospital stay and continue throughout recovery.
Restrictions
During acoustic neuroma recovery, patients have some restrictions. For example, patients should not drive themselves home after undergoing surgery. Dina Q. Goldin, PhD, the founding editor of the Acoustic Neuroma Patient Archive, explains that acoustic neuroma patients should avoid vitamins and herbs that affect clotting, such as fish oil, during recovery.
Recovery Activities
Patients can do certain activities to help with their recovery. Acoustic neuroma patients struggling with balance during recovery may benefit from exercise. The Mayfield Clinic recommends Tai Chi and Pilates. To help with facial nerve function, patients can try massage and facial exercises. One facial exercise provided by the Ohio State University Medical Center is the cheek puff, in which the patient takes a deep breath and holds it for five seconds while puffing out her cheeks.
Prognosis
MedlinePlus explains that if the acoustic neuroma causes hearing loss, surgery will not correct it. To cope with this problem, the Mayfield Clinic notes that patients may need a hearing aid, such as the bone-anchored hearing aid or contralateral routing of sound. Other options include learning sign language or getting an auditory brainstem implant, which helps with noise awareness.
