An acoustic neuroma, also called a vestibular schwannoma, is a tumor on the nerve involved in hearing and balance.
Symptoms often include hearing loss in one ear, ringing in the ear, unsteadiness, dizziness, and sometimes facial numbness if the tumour grows larger.
Imaging helps when one-sided hearing loss, persistent ringing in one ear, or balance problems raise concern about a problem along the hearing and balance nerve.
MRI is the key imaging test because it shows the internal auditory canal, the tumor size, and any pressure effect on nearby structures.
Management may include monitoring, radiation, or surgery depending on symptoms, growth, hearing, and tumor size.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
