An acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous tumor of the acoustic nerve (also called the vestibulocochlear nerve), which carries balance and auditory signals from the ear to the brain.
Usually, only the nerve of one ear is affected.
In most cases, the cause is unknown, although a minority are due to the genetic condition neurofibromatosis, in which multiple tumors grow on nerves. A small neuroma often does not cause any significant problems.
A larger neuroma may cause hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and sometimes headaches, pain and weakness in the face, blurred vision, and problems with coordination.
If the tumor is small, regular monitoring may be all that is required.
A larger or troublesome neuroma may be removed by surgery or treated with radiation therapy, or both