Erin Fortner

Grape 🍇 You?

Many people who have an acoustic neuroma have no symptoms.

For those that do, it’s typically a combination of the following:

👉 Tinnitus or ringing in the ear
👉 Hearing loss
👉 Dizziness
👉 Balance issues
👉 Facial numbness or paralysis

The hearing loss and tinnitus are unilateral (only in one ear) and can come on suddenly or over a period of time.

If the tumor becomes large enough it can press on nerves causing numbness and/or paralysis.

I had the first four symptoms for over a decade and developed facial numbness in August.

What were your first symptoms?

It’s Acoustic Neuroma Awareness Week!

What is an acoustic neuroma?

An acoustic neuroma, also known as a vestibular schwannoma, is a rare non-cancerous (benign) brain tumor.

They typically grow on the vestibular nerve which is part of cranial nerve VIII (8). This nerve contains the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for balance, and the cochlear nerve which is responsible for hearing.

The most common symptoms are:
⭐️ Unilateral (one sided) hearing loss
⭐️ Unilateral tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
⭐️ Imbalance/disequilibrium
⭐️ Dizziness/vertigo
⭐️ Headache
⭐️ Fatigue

Treatment options include: observation, radiation therapy, and surgical removal.

Each patient is different and the best course of action depends on tumor size, symptoms, and patient health.