Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a harmless tumor that forms on the nerve connecting your inner ear to your brain. This nerve, called the vestibular nerve, is crucial for hearing and balance. Because of its location, an acoustic neuroma can cause problems with these senses.

The tumor, sometimes called a vestibular schwannoma, grows from the cells that surround and protect the vestibular nerve. These are called Schwann cells. Typically, an acoustic neuroma grows slowly. However, in some cases, it can grow quickly and become large enough to press on the brain. This could affect important bodily functions.

If you have an acoustic neuroma, several treatment options are available. These can include:

• Monitoring: Regular checkups to watch how the tumor is growing. This approach is often used if the tumor is small and not causing significant problems.
• Radiation therapy: Using radiation to shrink the tumor. This is a good option for some people who aren't suitable for surgery.
• Surgery: Removing the tumor. This is often the best option, especially if the tumor is large or growing quickly. A surgeon will carefully remove the tumor, trying to minimize damage to the surrounding nerves.

In short, an acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous tumor that can affect hearing, balance, and potentially other brain functions. It's important to get a diagnosis and discuss treatment options with a doctor.

Acoustic neuromas are tumors that grow in the inner ear. As the tumor gets bigger, the symptoms it causes often become more noticeable and possibly worse.

Here are some common signs of an acoustic neuroma:

• Hearing loss: This is usually a gradual decline over time, happening over months or years. Sometimes, hearing loss in one ear can happen suddenly. It's typically noticeable on one side of the head or worse on one side.

• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus): This is a constant buzzing or ringing sound in the affected ear.

• Balance problems: You might feel unsteady or lose your balance. Dizziness is another related symptom.

• Facial numbness: Some people experience numbness in their face. Less commonly, there might be weakness or trouble moving certain facial muscles.

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially hearing loss in one ear, ringing in your ear, or balance problems, it's important to see a doctor right away. Early detection of an acoustic neuroma is key. Catching it early can prevent the tumor from growing too large, which could lead to serious problems like complete hearing loss.

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Sometimes, acoustic neuromas are linked to a problem with a gene on chromosome 22. This gene usually makes a protein that helps keep the cells around nerves (called Schwann cells) from growing too much. Scientists don't fully understand why this gene might malfunction. In many cases, no clear reason for an acoustic neuroma is found.

This gene problem can be passed down through families with a rare condition called neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). People with NF2 often develop tumors on the nerves that control hearing and balance on both sides of their head. These tumors, which are on both sides, are called bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Essentially, NF2 increases the risk of these tumors forming.

Autosomal dominant disorders happen when a person inherits a changed gene from one parent. This changed gene is found on one of the chromosomes not related to sex (called autosomes). Having just one copy of the changed gene is enough to cause the condition. For example, if a parent has an autosomal dominant disorder, there's a 50% chance their child will inherit the condition and a 50% chance the child won't.

Acoustic neuromas, a rare type of tumor on the nerves near the ear, have a specific genetic link. The only confirmed risk factor is having a parent with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 2. Crucially, though, this only applies to about 5% of acoustic neuroma cases.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 is another genetic condition. A key feature of this condition is the growth of non-cancerous tumors on the nerves in the head, including those important for balance. These tumors can also form on other nerves throughout the body. Neurofibromatosis type 2 is also an autosomal dominant disorder. This means that a child only needs to inherit the changed gene from one parent to potentially develop the condition. If one parent has neurofibromatosis type 2, each of their children has a 50% chance of inheriting it.

Acoustic neuromas can lead to several lasting problems. These include:

• Hearing loss: This can range from mild difficulty hearing certain sounds to complete deafness. The hearing loss might develop gradually or come on suddenly.

• Facial numbness and weakness: This can affect sensations like touch and temperature in parts of the face. It can also make it harder to control facial muscles, potentially causing problems with expressions or even eating.

• Balance problems: These problems can lead to dizziness, unsteadiness, and difficulty walking. This can make everyday activities more challenging.

• Tinnitus: This is the medical term for ringing, buzzing, or other noises in the ear that aren't caused by an external sound. It can be a constant annoyance and can interfere with sleep and daily life.

A doctor often starts by doing a thorough check of your ears and other parts of your body to look for signs of an acoustic neuroma.

Acoustic neuromas can be hard to spot early on. The symptoms, like hearing loss, are often subtle and develop gradually. Many other ear problems can cause similar symptoms.

To check for an acoustic neuroma, your healthcare provider will first ask you about your symptoms. Then, they'll examine your ears. You might also need some special tests:

• Hearing test (audiometry): A hearing specialist, called an audiologist, will do this test. They'll send sounds to one ear at a time. The audiologist will play different tones at various volumes. You'll tell them when you hear a sound. They'll gradually decrease the volume to see what's the quietest sound you can still hear. The audiologist might also use spoken words to test your hearing.

• Imaging tests: To see if there's a tumor, doctors often use a special type of scan called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This scan uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures. MRI can find very small tumors, as small as 1 or 2 millimeters across. If you can't have an MRI, a CT scan might be used instead. CT scans are good at showing larger problems, but they might miss smaller tumors.