Acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous growth or tumor. It arises from the nerve that runs from the inner ear to the brain. This nerve has two parts concerned with balance and hearing. As the tumor grows, it presses on both balance and hearing nerves. It can cause hearing problems and unsteadiness. Acoustic neuroma is a very slow-growing tumor. It makes up six percent of all brain tumors according to House Ear Clinic.
It grows adjacent to important brain structures and causes symptoms gradually by pressing on them.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is the most common symptom in about 90 percent of cases of acoustic neuroma, according to the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Hearing gradually decreases in one ear. The ear may feel full, and you may have difficulty in using the telephone.
Occasionally in five percent of cases, there can be a sudden loss of hearing. You will be unable to understand speech words properly. Along with this, there is a ringing and buzzing sound in your ear. Therefore, if you have a decrease in hearing in one ear with some sounds in your ear you should seek medical attention. Your doctor will advise further tests to rule out an acoustic neuroma.
Disturbed Balance
As the tumor arises from the balance nerve, you have a loss of balance as an early symptom. Unsteadiness is seen in nearly half of the patients. As the tumor grows and presses on the cerebellum, there will be poor coordination and unsteady walking. There may be a giddy feeling, which often stabilizes. You may fall toward the side of the tumor.
Facial Numbness
As the acoustic neuroma grows large, there is numbness in your face and a tingling sensation. This is because the trigeminal nerve responsible for facial sensation is being pressed on by the growth.
There may be a weakness of the facial muscles if the seventh or facial nerve is affected. You may have dry eyes and a loss of taste.
Headache
When the tumor starts becoming very large, it can cause pressure inside your skull. This causes a dull ache in your head, according to experts at John Hopkins.
There will be associated vomiting, confusion and change in consciousness. The tumor can be life threatening when it grows very large in size and presses on the vital centers in the brain. Seek medical attention immediately.
