An acoustic neuroma is a benign, slow-growing lump that forms on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. Because the tumor inches along for years, early clues are easy to shrug off. Listen to your body for these steady, one-sided changes:
- One-ear hearing loss
Phone sounds fade, people seem to mumble, or you start favoring the “good” ear. The dip is gradual and rarely painful. - Ear fullness or ringing
A constant low hiss, ocean roar, or high whistle stays in the same ear day and night. - Balance wobble
You drift when walking heel-to-toe or feel tipsy even after zero drinks. Spinning vertigo is less common, but quick head turns may feel off. - Numb face or “thick” tongue
If the tumor presses on neighboring wires, sipping hot coffee or shaving may feel odd on one cheek. - Head pressure, not pain
A dull weight behind the ear builds as the mass grows.
| Symptom | What it feels like | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| One-sided hearing fade | Need louder TV volume, miss doorbells | Tumor sits on hearing nerve |
| Constant ear ring | Whistle or ocean sound in one ear | Nerve irritation |
| Balance glitch | Veer sideways, stumble in dark | Tumor touches balance fibers |
| Half-face numb | Toothbrush feels foreign | Nearby pressure |
| Heavy head | Achy fullness on one side | Space-occupying effect |