Auditory Nerve Tumors

An auditory nerve tumor (acoustic neuroma, acoustic neurinoma, vestibular schwannoma, eighth nerve tumor) is a noncancerous (benign) tumor that originates in the cells that wrap around the auditory nerve (Schwann cells).

See the figure How Ear Disorders Affect the Facial Nerve.

Auditory nerve tumors usually grow from the vestibular (balance) nerve. Hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and unsteadiness are early symptoms. If the tumor grows larger and compresses other parts of the brain, such as the facial nerve or the trigeminal nerve, weakness and numbness of the face may result. Early symptoms include ringing in one ear (tinnitus), hearing loss, and imbalance or unsteadiness when the person turns quickly.

Early diagnosis is based on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and hearing tests.

Tumors are removed by surgery, which may be performed with a microscope (microsurgery) to avoid damaging the facial nerve.