Acoustic Neuroma is a condition which can occur when a non-cancerous tumour that is usually slow growing, appears on the nerve which carries information about hearing and balance from the ear to the brain.
The tumour is an acoustic neuroma and its more correct name is vestibular schwannoma. Though benign, vestibular schwannomas can grow until they cause paralysis, breathing problems and even death.
The tumours start within a pinhole-sized canal just inside the inner ear, but they can expand to involve the junction of the brain stem and crebellum. Early symptoms like hearing loss and vertigo result.
A person with an acoustic neuroma may experience hearing loss, tinnitus, difficulty with balance and/or facial problems.
The diagnosis and treatment is usually carried out by a radiation oncologist, neurosurgeon and/or an ear, nose and throat surgeon.
One treatment is surgical and the other is radiosurgery. Both methods have their pros and cons but it is good to have a choice.
If you think you may be suffering from acoustic neuroma, consult your doctor.
The Acoustic Neuroma Association of New Zealand was founded in 1991 and has helped many families. It is both a support and an information gathering network.
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