Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the eighth cranial nerve. This nerve has two branches — the cochlear and vestibular. The cochlear branch carries sound from the inner ear to the brain, and the vestibular branch carries information for balance from the inner ear to the brain. Most acoustic neuromas arise from the vestibular branch of the nerve.

The cause of acoustic neuromas usually isn't known. But these tumors often are associated with neurofibromatosis 2, an inherited disorder characterized by tumors of the cranial and spinal nerves.

Acoustic neuromas are slow growing. As they grow, they push against the brain but they don't spread into the brain.