Acoustic Neuroma

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Symptoms of Acoustic Neuroma

As mentioned earlier, many a times acoustic neuroma grows very slowly and there may not be any symptoms for it. Early symptoms of acoustic neuroma are vague and often perceived as normal consequences of aging because the tumor is so slow growing it typically appears in the later decades of life.

Early symptoms include

• Gradual loss of hearing, especially difficulty understanding speech, in one EAR
• TINNITUS (rushing or roaring sound) in one ear
• Balance disturbances such as dizziness or loss of balance with motion

Vertigo is also more common with smaller tumors. Unsteadiness is much more prevalent than vertigo, and  approximately 70 percent of patients with large tumors have this symptom. Cerebellar symptoms (i.e. poor coordination of the arms) are unusual.

But some times, it can grow very fast and become so huge that it starts pressing on some parts of brain and tumor’s size begins to encroach on nearby structures such as the seventh cranial (facial) nerve. Such symptoms might include facial PAIN and disturbances of facial expression.