Health condition
Acoustic neuroma deep dive
Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas) are benign tumours of the hearing and balance nerve with three valid management paths - observation, radiosurgery and microsurgery; for many small tumours, watchful MRI surveillance is the wisest first move.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Typical first symptoms: one-sided hearing loss, tinnitus or imbalance
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Many small tumours never grow significantly and are safely observed with annual MRI
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Stereotactic radiosurgery controls most small-to-medium tumours without an operation
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Bilateral tumours suggest NF2-related schwannomatosis and change the whole strategy
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
These slow-growing benign tumours arise from the sheath of the vestibulocochlear nerve in the internal auditory canal. Widespread MRI use finds them earlier and smaller than ever, which reframes the problem: a substantial share of observed tumours show little or no growth over years, so the natural first question is not "which treatment?" but "does this tumour need treating at all?" - answered with an initial period of interval scanning.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
When growth or symptoms force the issue, the choice between radiosurgery (high control rates, no incision, small long-term risks) and microsurgery (definitive removal, preferred for larger tumours compressing the brainstem) turns on tumour size, hearing status, age and personal values. Facial nerve preservation is the fixed priority of modern surgery. Hearing rarely improves with any option, so serviceable hearing is protected, not restored - making early, informed decisions genuinely consequential. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem can take months, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant neurosurgeon. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Acoustic neuroma deep dive.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is an acoustic neuroma?
An acoustic neuroma, also called a vestibular schwannoma, is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that grows on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain, affecting hearing and balance as it grows.
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What causes an acoustic neuroma?
Most arise sporadically without a clear cause, from an overgrowth of Schwann cells surrounding the balance and hearing nerve; a small proportion are linked to a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 2.
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What are the symptoms of an acoustic neuroma?
Common symptoms include gradual hearing loss on one side, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), balance problems or dizziness, and in larger tumours, facial numbness or weakness.
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Is an acoustic neuroma dangerous?
It is benign and does not spread to other parts of the body, but it can cause significant symptoms and, if large, can press on important structures in the brain, occasionally requiring urgent treatment.
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Is an acoustic neuroma genetic?
Most cases are not inherited, but a small subset occur as part of neurofibromatosis type 2, a genetic condition that causes tumours to grow on nerves throughout the body, often with tumours on both sides.
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Can an acoustic neuroma be treated without surgery?
Yes, many small, slow-growing tumours are simply monitored with regular MRI scans, while others are treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, a precise form of radiation that avoids the need for open surgery.
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How is an acoustic neuroma treated?
Treatment options include watchful waiting with MRI monitoring for small or slow-growing tumours, stereotactic radiosurgery, and microsurgical removal for larger tumours or those causing significant symptoms.
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How long does recovery take after acoustic neuroma surgery?
Hospital stay is typically around five to seven days, with full recovery from surgery generally taking six to twelve weeks, though some balance or facial nerve symptoms can take longer to improve.
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Acoustic neuroma vs Meniere's disease — what's the difference?
Meniere's disease causes episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inner ear fluid problems, while an acoustic neuroma causes gradually progressive, usually one-sided hearing loss and balance issues due to a physical tumour on the nerve, confirmed by MRI.
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When should I see a doctor about a possible acoustic neuroma, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
See a doctor if you have unexplained one-sided hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems. NHS ENT or neurology referral can take 20 to 45 or more weeks, while private specialist assessment and MRI is often available within about two weeks.