Pinched nerves are a commonly experienced phenomenon. When your nerves are compressed or pinched, the result is a tingling sensation. Whether your foot has gone numb because you sat in an awkward position too long or you wake up with your arm still asleep, you are likely familiar with this pinched nerve tingling.
Acoustic neuromas function in a similar way. These noncancerous tumors grow slowly and develop from Schwann cells that cover the vestibular nerve. Schwann cells are ordinarily responsible for supporting and insulating nerves by wrapping around them. While the cells are usually beneficial, an overproduction on the vestibular nerve results in an acoustic neuroma.
How Do Acoustic Neuromas Affect Hearing?
By exerting pressure on the vestibular nerve, acoustic neuromas interfere with the signals transmitted through the nerve branch responsible for balance and hearing. This disruption can lead to various symptoms.
More than 90% of acoustic neuroma patients have hearing loss in the affected ear. When acoustic neuromas have grown large enough to cause irreversible hearing loss, hearing aids are an effective treatment option. These small but technologically advanced devices collect and amplify speech sounds while reducing background noise to make communicating with and understanding those around you easier.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing an acoustic neuroma typically involves evaluating symptoms, conducting an ear examination, performing a hearing test and conducting an MRI to get a clear view of the ear. Because hearing loss is often the first symptom you notice, pay attention for signs of it. For instance, if understanding your friends at Swift and Union becomes more challenging over time, you may be experiencing hearing loss.
Treatment options for acoustic neuromas depend on various factors, including the tumor’s size and growth rate, the individual’s overall health and the severity of symptoms. There are three standard treatment approaches, including:
- Monitoring. Healthcare providers may recommend monitoring with imaging scans every six to 12 months to track its growth. Monitoring is generally only used if the tumor is small or slow-growing. If symptoms worsen or the tumor grows rapidly, surgical intervention or radiation therapy may be necessary.
- Surgery. Surgical techniques aim to remove the neuroma while preserving the facial nerve. Healthcare providers are more likely to recommend surgery if the neuroma becomes too large or causes severe symptoms.
- Radiation. Radiation therapy is an excellent option to slow down the growth of the neuroma without causing damage to the surrounding tissues. Common radiation techniques include proton beam therapy, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.
For more information on acoustic neuromas and managing the symptoms of hearing loss, we encourage you to contact PDX ENT today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.
