Acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a noncancerous and usually slow-growing tumor that develops on the main (vestibular) nerve leading from your inner ear to your brain. Branches of this nerve directly influence your balance and hearing, and pressure from an acoustic neuroma can cause hearing loss, ringing in your ear and unsteadiness. This is what causes vestibular issues, but fret not, for we at the Therapy Consultants can be part of your recovery team in treating just that! Acoustic neuroma usually arises from the Schwann cells covering this nerve and grows slowly or not at all. Rarely, it may grow rapidly and become large enough to press against the brain and interfere with vital functions.
This is how you can get an idea of whether you have Acoustic neuroma or not.
Signs and symptoms of acoustic neuroma are often easy to miss and may take many years to develop. They usually happen because of the tumor’s effects on the hearing and balance nerves. Pressure from the tumor on nearby nerves controlling facial muscles and sensation (facial and trigeminal nerves), nearby blood vessels, or brain structures may also cause problems.
As the tumor grows, it may cause more noticeable or severe signs and symptoms.
Common signs and symptoms of acoustic neuroma include Hearing loss, usually gradually worsening over months to years — although in rare cases sudden — and occurring on only one side or more severe on one sidelining (tinnitus) in the affected earUnsteadiness or loss of balanceDizziness (vertigo)Facial numbness and weakness or loss of muscle movement rare cases, an acoustic neuroma may grow large enough to compress the brainstem and become life-threatening.
What causes Acoustic Neuromas?
The cause of acoustic neuromas can be linked to a problem with a gene on chromosome 22. Normally, this gene produces a tumor suppressor protein that helps control the growth of Schwann cells covering the nerves.
Experts don’t know what causes this problem with the gene. In most cases of acoustic neuroma, there is no known cause. This faulty gene is also inherited in neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare disorder that usually involves the growth of tumors on the hearing and balance nerves on both sides of your head (bilateral vestibular schwannomas).
What are the risk factors involved?
The only confirmed risk factor for acoustic neuroma is having a parent with the rare genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 2. However, neurofibromatosis type 2 only accounts for about 5% of acoustic neuroma cases.
A hallmark characteristic of neurofibromatosis type 2 is the development of noncancerous tumors on the hearing and balance nerves on both sides of the head, as well as on other nerves. Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is known as an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning that the mutation can be passed on by just one parent (dominant gene). Each child of an affected parent has a 50-50 chance of inheriting it.
What are the complications you might encounter?
An acoustic neuroma may cause a variety of permanent complications,
including:
- Hearing loss
- Facial numbness and weakness
- Difficulties with balance
- Ringing in the ear
Large tumors may press on your brainstem, preventing the normal flow of fluid between your brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). In this case, fluid can build up in your head (hydrocephalus), increasing the pressure inside your skull.
How do you determine when it’s time to seek out the help of Therapy Consultants?
You should contact your physician right away if you notice hearing loss in one ear, ringing in your ear or trouble with your balance.Early diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma may help keep the tumor from growing large enough to cause serious consequences, such as total hearing loss. Vestibular Rehab is an integral part of recovery for this condition, sometimes we need to coordinate your care with ENT specialist, Neurologist, and Primary care physician.
Contact us today at 915-503-1333
Let’s be part of your recovery team. “You Don’t Have To Live With It”