An auditory nerve tumor (acoustic neuroma, acoustic neurinoma, vestibular schwannoma, eighth nerve tumor) is a noncancerous (benign) tumor that originates in the cells that wrap around the auditory nerve (Schwann cells).

Auditory nerve tumors usually grow from the vestibular (balance) nerve. Early symptoms include noise in the ear (tinnitus), hearing loss, and imbalance or unsteadiness when the person turns quickly. If the tumor grows larger and compresses other parts of the brain, such as the facial nerve or the trigeminal nerve, weakness and numbness of the face may result. Early diagnosis is based on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and hearing tests.

Tumors are removed by surgery, which may be performed with a microscope (microsurgery) to avoid damaging the facial nerve.

How Ear Disorders Affect the Facial Nerve Because the facial nerve winds through the ear, disorders of the middle and inner ear can affect it. For example, herpes zoster of the ear may affect the facial nerve as well as the auditory nerve. The facial nerve then swells and presses against the opening in the skull that it passes through. The pressure on this nerve can cause temporary or permanent facial paralysis. Treatment depends on the disorder causing the problem.

Last full review/revision February 2008 by Richard T. Miyamoto, MD