National Ear Care Day | Tinnitus? Hearing loss? Beware of the "silent hearing killer" - acoustic neuroma!

March 3, 2025 is the 26th National Ear Care Day. This year's theme is "Healthy Listening, Unimpeded Communication". The ear is not only a window to perceive sound, but also an important hub for human balance and nerve function. Today, we focus on a disease closely related to hearing - acoustic neuroma, to help everyone understand it scientifically and protect "the happiness of hearing".

1. What is acoustic neuroma?

Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor originating from Schwann cells of the vestibular nerve sheath of the internal auditory canal, accounting for 6%-10% of intracranial tumors. Although it is benign, if not intervened in time, as the tumor grows, it gradually compresses the surrounding important tissues, which may cause serious symptoms and even threaten life. Acoustic neuroma is more common in adults, with the peak incidence of 30-50 years old, and there is no obvious gender difference.

2. Be alert to the early symptoms of acoustic neuroma

Acoustic neuroma grows slowly, and early symptoms are easily ignored and often mistaken for "common ear diseases", so people often ignore them or seek medical treatment from otolaryngologists. If the following symptoms occur, be alert:

Unilateral hearing loss or tinnitus: Usually progressive, and you may find that you can't hear clearly in one ear when making a phone call.

Dizziness or balance disorders: The tumor compresses the cerebellum, causing unsteady walking and dizziness.

Facial numbness or muscle weakness: When the tumor compresses the facial nerve, the corners of the mouth may become crooked, the sense of taste may be decreased, and facial pain and decreased sense of touch may occur.

Headache or increased intracranial pressure: When the tumor is large, it may cause headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Note: Symptoms are related to the size and growth rate of the tumor. Some patients may even have no symptoms in the early stages and the disease is only discovered accidentally during a physical examination.

3. Scientific prevention and treatment to protect hearing health

Ren Nianjun, director of the Department of Neurosurgery at Hunan Cancer Hospital, reminds the public: The treatment plan for acoustic neuroma needs to be formulated comprehensively based on the tumor size, symptoms, age and patient wishes. The treatment goal of acoustic neuroma has gradually evolved from simply removing the tumor and reducing mortality and disability rates to preserving neurological function and improving quality of life.

Director Ren Nianjun said: Although the cause of acoustic neuroma has not yet been fully clarified, protecting hearing and early detection and early treatment are the key. In daily ear protection, you should pay attention to: stay away from noise pollution; pay attention to unilateral hearing abnormalities: if one ear has persistent tinnitus or hearing loss, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible; and have regular physical examinations.

Hearing loss is often irreversible. Only by paying attention to subtle changes in hearing and treating hidden diseases such as acoustic neuroma scientifically can we ensure that the "sound" of life will never be absent.

Warm reminder: If you or your family members have unexplained hearing loss, tinnitus or balance disorders, please go to the neurosurgery department in time. Early diagnosis is the first line of defense to protect your hearing!

Through this article, we hope to increase the public's awareness of acoustic neuroma, convey the concept of "early detection, early treatment", and allow more people to have healthy and sensitive hearing and listen to the wonders of the world.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Wang Rui and Wang Lei from Hunan Cancer Hospital

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(Edited by Wx)