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Guidelines for sites linking to mayoclinic.orgMayo Clinic neurologists and neurosurgeons are considered international experts in diagnosing and treating tumors of the nervous system, including acoustic neuromas. They care for more than 2,200 patients with brain and nervous system tumors each year, making Mayo Clinic one of the largest tumor centers in the world.
Patients travel to Mayo Clinic from all 50 states and from 39 countries for brain and nervous system tumor treatment. Mayo Clinic brings together specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, otorhinolaryngology, audiology, radiation oncology and radiology to tailor a treatment plan for each patient.
Hearing loss, dizziness and ringing in the ears are the most common symptoms of acoustic neuroma, but may be due to other conditions. Mayo has many tools to help make an accurate diagnosis. Read more about acoustic neuroma diagnosis.
Treatment options include observation, surgical removal and radiotherapy. Which option is best depends upon the size of the tumor and the age and general health of the patient. The two important considerations in treatment are preserving the facial nerve and saving hearing, whenever possible. Read more about acoustic neuroma treatment options.
Acoustic neuroma in the ear canal
An acoustic neuroma (sometimes termed a vestibular schwannoma or neurolemmoma) is a benign (noncancerous) tissue growth that arises on the eighth cranial nerve leading from the brain to the inner ear. This nerve has two distinct parts. One part is associated with transmitting sound, and the other sends balance information to the brain from the inner ear. These pathways, along with the facial nerve, lie adjacent to each other as they pass through a bony canal called the internal auditory canal. This canal is approximately 1-inch long. Acoustic neuromas originate in this canal from the sheath surrounding the eighth nerve.
Read more about acoustic neuroma at MayoClinic.com.
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