Acoustic Neuroma Explained – Symptoms, Treatments and Surgery

Acoustic Neuroma Acoustic neuroma, also called as vestibular schwannoma, is an unusual cause of hearing loss. Usually, it is a noncancerous (benign) but gradual growth of tumor that progresses on the main nerve landing, i.e. eighth cranial nerve. The major function of this cranial nerve is to bridge connection between the inner ear and brain. This cranial nerve is also known as vestibulocochlear nerve and it has two different parts (cochlear nerve and vestibular nerve). Each part performs different roles in hearing; one performs the function of transmitting sound and the other functions to transmit balance or equilibrium information. As these two parts play a significant role in hearing, growth of an acoustic neuroma tumor can interrupt the balance and hearing; this eventually causes loss of hearing, unsteadiness and ringing in the ear. Although, acoustic neuroma develops very slowly, but there are a few exceptions too. In some cases, it was shown to grow rapidly and became great eno