What symptoms can larger acoustic neuromas cause?

As acoustic neuromas grow, they press on the surrounding nerves and other structures in the inner ear, which can cause a range of symptoms, including:

- Gradual hearing loss: Acoustic neuromas can cause nerve damage that leads to hearing loss, which may be accompanied by tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ear).

- Tinnitus: A constant ringing or buzzing sound in the ear.

- Feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear

- Balance problems: Acoustic neuromas can affect the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance, leading to dizziness, loss of balance, or vertigo (a spinning sensation).

- Facial weakness: Acoustic neuromas can damage the nerves that control facial muscles, causing drooping on one side of the face.

- Difficulty speaking slurred speech: Acoustic neuromas can affect the nerves that control the muscles of the tongue and vocal cords, leading to difficulties with speaking and swallowing.

- Numbness or tingling in the face: Acoustic neuromas can affect the trigeminal nerve, which provides sensation to the face, causing numbness or tingling sensations.

- Headaches: Acoustic neuromas can cause headaches, especially in the back of the head.

- Vision problems: Acoustic neuromas that grow large enough can put pressure on the optic nerve, leading to vision problems like blurry vision, double vision, or loss of peripheral vision.