Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis in India - MRI, Hearing Tests and Key Tests

An acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumour that grows on the nerve used for hearing and balance. This short explains the main tests a specialist may use to confirm a diagnosis and plan your treatment.

Initial hearing and balance tests

Diagnosis usually starts with tests to check your hearing and balance, as these are the functions most affected by the tumour.

• Hearing test. An audiogram measures your hearing ability across different pitches and volumes. Hearing loss in one ear is a common early symptom.
• Nerve response test. An Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test checks how your hearing nerve and brain respond to sounds. It can show if nerve signals are slowed by a tumour.
• Balance assessment. Tests like videonystagmography (VNG) measure eye movements to assess how well your balance system is working. This is the part of the inner ear connected to the hearing nerve.

Imaging to confirm the diagnosis

If initial tests suggest an acoustic neuroma, an imaging scan is needed to see the tumour and confirm its size and location.

• MRI scan. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan with a contrast dye is the most accurate way to diagnose an acoustic neuroma. It provides detailed pictures of the tumour and surrounding nerves.
• CT scan. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan may be used if you cannot have an MRI. It is less detailed for soft tissues but can show the tumour and its effect on nearby bone.
• What scans show. Imaging helps the specialist see the precise location of the tumour, how large it is, and which structures it is pressing on. This information is essential for planning treatment.

The most suitable diagnostic path and any subsequent treatment can only be decided by a specialist. This decision will be based on a full review of your medical history, symptoms, and recent imaging reports.