Hearing loss in one ear, ringing in your ear (tinnitus), or problems with your balance are all symptoms and indicators of an acoustic neuroma.
Although tumour size is not always the primary factor affecting your symptoms or their severity, early diagnosis and treatment can provide you with the best outcome.
HEARING LOSS
Usually, hearing loss is very gradual but it can be sudden. In most cases, hearing is affected on only one side of the head and more pronounced in the higher frequencies.
Balance, unsteadiness, vertigo
Often patients experience a balance issue before diagnosis. However, you may not notice it as your brain compensates for the changes.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
Tinnitus occurs for most acoustic neuroma patients before and after treatment. However, all patients with tinnitus do not have a brain tumour or acoustic neuroma.
Headaches
Many acoustic neuroma patients experience unexplained headaches.
Facial paralysis, numbness or pain
If an acoustic neuroma tumour is large or close to a facial nerve, you may experience numbness, tingling or even some paralysis (palsy) of your face. Facial symptoms are not typical, but they do occur.
Clumsiness or mental confusion
It is not unusual for patients to experience clumsiness or mental confusion, such as a mental block when writing or typing, as one example.
See your doctor!
It is important to visit your doctor if you notice that you are having trouble hearing out of one ear, ringing in your ear or problems with your balance. These symptoms can be indicators of an acoustic neuroma.
Early diagnosis can prevent you from dealing with serious or even life-threatening consequences that can arise.