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Mayo Clinic neurologists and neurosurgeons are considered international authorities in diagnosing and treating tumors of the nervous system, including acoustic neuromas. They care for nearly 2,000 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 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 neuromas are typically slow-growing benign (noncancerous) tumors that develop on a portion of the 8th cranial (neck) nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. The tumor can be a serious threat because it is located near vital brain structures.
A more correct term for the tumor is "vestibular schwannoma," because the tumors arise from the vestibular portion of the nerve from schwann cells that form the insulation around the nerve cells. Acoustic neuroma was the original name given to these tumors before their true origin and cell type were defined. These tumors continue to be known by this incorrect term. (It will be used on these pages.)
Approximately 2,500 people are diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma every year in the United States. Most are between the ages of 30 and 60. Although there is an inherited condition called neurofibromatosis which can lead to the development of bilateral acoustic neuromas, most occur spontaneously without any evidence of being inherited.
As the tumor grows along the vestibular nerve it may cause this nerve to quit working, resulting in imbalance or even vertigo (the sensation that the room is spinning). As it grows, it may compress the portion of the 8th nerve responsible for hearing and cause hearing loss, ringing in the ear or complete deafness on the side of the tumor.
If the tumor becomes large enough, it may compress and affect the nerves controlling facial movements, facial sensation, swallowing or even the cerebellum and brain stem, resulting in imbalance or weakness.
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