The Silver Lining: Nicole's Journey with an AN
After noticing numbness and hearing loss, a veteran nurse discovered she had a 3 cm acoustic neuroma compressing her brainstem. Facing urgent surgery and CyberKnife radiosurgery, she navigated treatment with courage and optimism. Today, she enjoys retirement, improved balance, and the joy of life post-recovery.
My Acoustic Neuroma Experience: Bill's Journey Down a Bumpy Road
“After experiencing double vision while driving, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma in his good ear. With hearing preservation a priority, he chose Gamma Knife at Toronto Western Hospital in 2013 and again in 2018 after regrowth. Alongside balance challenges, hearing loss, and taste changes, he continues to adapt with vestibular therapy, hearing technology, and Nordic pole walking. Now 79, he remains grateful for life’s possibilities and contributes to a Mayo Clinic study on acoustic neuroma quality of life.
Chelsea's AN Experience: From Diagnosis to Recovery
A PhD music student in Toronto first noticed tingling, facial zaps, and hearing changes on the left side of her head, which were initially attributed to overuse of her instrument. Months later, after careful monitoring and multiple opinions, she was diagnosed with a 2–2.5 cm acoustic neuroma. Following translabyrinthine surgery at Sunnybrook Hospital, she preserved her facial nerve and gradually regained balance and mobility. Now navigating the ongoing adjustments of single-sided deafness, she emphasizes the importance of support networks, patient education, and connecting with others who truly understand the acoustic neuroma journey.
Pat Greenwell’s Acoustic Neuroma Diary: Her AN Journey from 1997 to Now
After attributing dizziness and hearing loss to chemotherapy, a breast cancer survivor in Edmonton finally received a shocking diagnosis: a 3 cm acoustic neuroma with hydrocephalus. Following emergency shunt surgery and a 14-hour brain surgery in Toronto, she faced temporary facial paralysis, relearned balance, and embraced life with single-sided deafness. Today, she celebrates gratitude, family, and the joys of retirement on the BC coast.
Trekking to the 2018 Symposium: Elizabeth’s Pathway to Managing Her AN
Elizabeth, a retired kindergarten teacher, was diagnosed with a small acoustic neuroma in 2018 after years of vision and balance challenges. With determination and support, she embraced vestibular therapy, adaptive technologies, and community connections to create a “new normal” that allows her to stay active and engaged.
Climbing Mountains, Embracing Technology: Living with Acoustic Neuroma
After acoustic neuroma surgery left him with single-sided deafness and balance issues, he’s faced challenges from stumbling into walls to nearly toppling off a ladder—but he hasn’t let it hold him back. With determination, he trained to hike Norway’s Pulpit’s Rock and conquered the 8-hour climb. Alongside these adventures, he shares how the Bonebridge implant has improved his hearing and energy, offering an honest look at both the pros and cons of life after surgery.
