When a patient presents with hearing loss, several key clinical features may suggest a diagnosis of acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma NICE NG98. A common indicator is unilateral hearing loss, which can be progressive, sudden, or fluctuating NICE NG98. This type of hearing loss is often associated with vestibular schwannoma due to the involvement of Schwann cells in the auditory nerve NICE NG98 Mohamed et al. 2023.
Beyond hearing loss, other symptoms that should raise suspicion include unilateral tinnitus, which is a ringing or buzzing sound in one ear NICE NG98. Patients may also experience vestibular symptoms such as unsteadiness or balance problems, which are common given the tumor's origin on the vestibular nerve NICE NG98. Less commonly, but still indicative, are other cranial nerve symptoms like facial numbness or weakness, or headaches NICE NG98. Intralabyrinthine schwannomas, a specific type, can also present with hearing loss and other auditory symptoms Curatoli et al. 2023.
Key References
- NG98 - Hearing loss in adults: assessment and management
- NG233 - Otitis media with effusion in under 12s
- (Curatoli et al., 2023): Intralabyrinthine schwannomas: a two-case series and literature review with a focus on hearing rehabilitation.
- (Mohamed et al., 2023): Hearing loss and vestibular schwannoma: new insights into Schwann cells implication.