Vestibular schwannoma
Medical Advice
Getting Medical Advice
See your GP if you have persistent or troublesome symptoms that you're worried could be caused by an acoustic neuroma.
Acoustic neuromas can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be caused by other conditions, such as Mnire's disease .
If your GP thinks you could have an acoustic neuroma, you'll be referred to a hospital or clinic for further tests, such as:
- Hearing tests to check for hearing problems and determine whether they're caused by a problem with your nerves
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scan , which uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed picture of the inside of your head
- Acomputerised tomography(CT) scan , which uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed image of the inside of your head
Information about you
If you have an acoustic neuroma, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS).
This helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat this condition. You can opt out of the register at any time.
Find out more about the register .
The 100,000 Genomes Project
If your doctor thinks there could be a genetic cause for your acoustic neuroma, you may be invited to take part in the 100,000 Genomes Project.
Your DNA will be studied to find out more about the cause of your condition. The aim is to create a new personalised medicine service for the NHS. This should transform the way people are cared for.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 19 Jan 2018
Introduction
An acoustic neuroma is a type of non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour. Acoustic neuromas grow on the nerve used for hearing and balance, which can cause problems such as hearing loss and unsteadiness. They can sometimes be serious if they become very large, but most are picked up and treated before they reach this stage.
Symptoms of vestibular schwannoma
An acoustic neuroma may not cause any obvious symptoms at first. Any symptoms tend to develop gradually and often include: hearing loss, which usually only affects one ear; tinnitus, etc.
Causes of vestibular schwannoma
A large acoustic neuroma can also sometimes cause: Persistent headaches; Temporary blurred or double vision; Numbness, pain or weakness on one side of the face, etc.
Treatment of vestibular schwannoma
There are several different treatment options for an acoustic neuroma, depending on the size and position of your tumour, how fast it's growing and your general health. Speak to your specialist about the best option for you and what the benefits and risks are.
Medical Advice
See your GP if you have persistent or troublesome symptoms that you're worried could be caused by an acoustic neuroma. Acoustic neuromas can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be caused by other conditions, such as Mnire's disease. If your GP thinks you could have an acoustic neuroma, you'll be referred to a hospital or clinic for further tests.
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