Acoustic neuroma: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc.

Definition

What is an acoustic neuroma?

Acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that affects the nerves that connect the inner ear to the brain. This nerve is called the vestibular nerve.

Acoustic neuroma affects the cells surrounding the vestibular nerve called Schwann cells. This ear disease can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and loss of balance. This can occur on one or both sides of your ear.

How common is this condition?

Vestibular schwannoma is a common disease that can affect people aged 30-60 years. This disease can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of acoustic neuroma?

The signs and symptoms of acoustic neuroma are often invisible and can take years to develop. These symptoms usually appear as a result of a tumor on the hearing and balance nerves.

As the tumor grows, you may experience more pronounced signs and symptoms, such as:

• Hearing loss
• Loss of balance
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears or a hissing sound in the ear).

In addition, tumors can also press on nerves, causing numbness and tingling in the face, or even paralysis of the face (loss of facial expression). Larger tumors can press on parts of the brain resulting in headaches, clumsy walking and confusion.

There may be signs or symptoms not listed above. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, please consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have signs of acoustic neuroma, you should immediately go to the hospital or doctor for testing and examination. Immediately consult a doctor if you suffer from:

• Sudden hearing loss
• Balance problems
• Difficulty swallowing
• Tingling sensation
• Numb
• One-sided tingling of the face, especially if accompanied by dizziness, headache or other symptoms.

Cause

What causes acoustic neuroma?

Acoustic neuroma is caused by Schwann cells surrounding the rapidly growing vestibular nerve (tumor growth). There are genes that control the growth of these cells, which are found on chromosome 22.

These tumors are caused by defects in this gene but the cause of the damage is still unknown. The researchers found that there are two types of acoustic neuroma, namely:

• Neurofibromatosis type 1 usually affects only 1 side of the ear and cannot be inherited.
• Neurofibromatosis type 2 affects both sides of the ear and can be inherited from parents. Type 2 is related to gene damage.

Acoustic neuroma is not contagious and cannot spread between individuals. So far, there is no way to prevent acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of acoustic neuroma?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the only risk factor for acoustic neuroma is having a parent with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 2. However, neurofibromatosis type 2 only accounts for about 5 percent of acoustic neuroma cases.

The hallmark of neurofibromatosis type 2 is the development of a non-cancerous tumor on the balance nerves on both sides of your 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 only one parent (dominant gene). Each child of an affected parent has a 50:50 chance of inheriting it.

Treatment

What are the treatment options for acoustic neuroma?

The treatment for vestibular schwannoma varies, depending on the size of the tumor and the severity of the symptoms. Treatment includes monitoring, surgery and radiation therapy. Here's the explanation:

1. Monitoring

If the tumor is small and you don't have any symptoms, the best treatment is monitoring. Your doctor will likely recommend that you undergo screening and hearing tests every 6-12 months. You should tell your doctor if you experience any symptoms.

2. Operation

Surgery is one of the treatment options. For small tumors, surgery can be done as a simple treatment step so that your condition can gradually improve. Surgery for larger tumors will certainly be more complex.

The reason is that the larger tumors are usually closer to the parts of the brain and facial nerves. This will increase the risk of complications, which include:

• Leaking of cerebrospinal fluid
• Hearing disorders
• Stiff face
• The face becomes numb
• Ears buzzing
• Impaired body balance
• Severe headaches
• Infection of the cerebrospinal fluid (meningitis)
• Stroke or brain hemorrhage

3. Radiation

An alternative radiation treatment is Gamma knife surgery. This method uses high-energy gamma radiation rays that precisely target the tumor to shrink its size. Usually, this method is not used to treat tumors that are larger in size.

This therapy is sometimes used in those who are elderly or in poor health, or have tumors that affect both ears. You should discuss with your doctor about treatment options that are right for you.

What tests are commonly done to diagnose this condition?

Acoustic neuroma is often difficult to diagnose at an early stage because the signs and symptoms do not appear and develop over a long period of time. Common symptoms, such as hearing loss have also been associated with many other ear problems.

In diagnosing this condition, the doctor will usually ask you what symptoms you feel. Then, the doctor will do an ear examination. Your doctor may ask you to undergo the following tests:

Hearing test (audiometry)

In this hearing test, you will be asked to listen to a sound that is directed into one ear at a time. The audiologist presents various sounds with various tones and asks you to show a signal each time you hear the sound.

The step will be repeated at such a faint level that you can barely hear it. The audiologist can also provide various words to determine your hearing ability.

Imaging test

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging test to confirm the presence of acoustic neuroma and can detect tumors that are 1-2 millimeters in diameter. If an MRI is not available or you cannot perform the test, a CT scan can be used, but the results may not be as accurate as an MRI.

Home remedies

What lifestyle and home remedies can help with acoustic neuroma?

It is important that you note that removal of the tumor can cause complications. This is because the nerves that control hearing, body balance, and the nerves in the face can also be cut during the operation process. But the following habits and lifestyle can help you deal with the growth of nerve tumors.

• Re-check regularly.
• See your doctor as regularly as possible to be tested, monitored, and get treatment options to help fight disease progression.
• Follow the advice given by your doctor. Do not use other than prescribed drugs or stop using a prescription drug that was intended for you.

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to find the best solution for you.