Ear, nose and throat
Medicines for Acoustic neuroma
A slow-growing, non-cancerous tumour on the nerve between the ear and brain, causing gradual hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems — monitored, or treated with surgery or radiotherapy.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Acoustic neuroma?
An acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) is a benign, usually slow-growing tumour on the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain and carries hearing and balance signals. As it grows it typically causes gradual hearing loss in one ear, ringing in that ear (tinnitus), and sometimes unsteadiness or dizziness.
- How it is treated: Management depends on the size of the tumour, the symptoms, the person's age and health, and how much it is growing.
- Self-care: There are no lifestyle measures to prevent or shrink an acoustic neuroma.
- When to seek help: See a GP for hearing loss or ringing in one ear, or persistent unsteadiness, so it can be investigated.
What it is
An acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) is a benign, usually slow-growing tumour on the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain and carries hearing and balance signals. As it grows it typically causes gradual hearing loss in one ear, ringing in that ear (tinnitus), and sometimes unsteadiness or dizziness. Large tumours can press on nearby structures. Because one-sided hearing loss and tinnitus have several causes, they are investigated, and an acoustic neuroma is usually diagnosed with hearing tests and an MRI scan. Most are not dangerous if found and monitored, but growth needs watching.
How it is treated
Management depends on the size of the tumour, the symptoms, the person's age and health, and how much it is growing. Many small tumours are simply monitored with regular scans, as they grow slowly or not at all. When treatment is needed, the options are surgery to remove the tumour or a form of focused radiotherapy (stereotactic radiosurgery) to stop it growing. The aims are to control the tumour while preserving as much hearing and nerve function as possible. Care is provided by a specialist skull-base team.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Acoustic neuroma
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
There are no lifestyle measures to prevent or shrink an acoustic neuroma. The key is having one-sided hearing loss, tinnitus or unsteadiness assessed so the cause is identified and monitored appropriately.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP for hearing loss or ringing in one ear, or persistent unsteadiness, so it can be investigated. These symptoms usually have benign causes but should be checked.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Acoustic neuroma: frequently asked questions
Is an acoustic neuroma cancer?
No. It is a benign (non-cancerous), usually slow-growing tumour. It does not spread, though large ones can press on nearby structures, so growth is monitored.
Does an acoustic neuroma always need treatment?
No. Many small tumours are just monitored with regular scans. Treatment (surgery or focused radiotherapy) is considered if it grows or causes significant symptoms.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Acoustic neuroma
- ENT UK — Vestibular schwannoma
Related conditions
Browse by body system
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.