Hi Sonja,
I too went through pretty much the same path to finding out that I had an Acoustic Neuroma or Schwannoma in my right ear. I had noticed some hearing loss about four years ago from a hearing test at an ENT's office. Then two years ago, having a hard time hearing people talking on the phone, I went back to my ENT, had another hearing test, and the comparison of the two tests made him suspicious. I had an MRI done and his hunch was right! He referrred me to two wonderful surgeons at John Hopkins Medical Center,( I'm from around the Harrisburg, PA. area), Drs. Lloyd Minor(otolarynologist) and Rafael Tamargo (head neurosurgeon who specializes in this type of procedure), both are excellent doctors! Down there I underwent another hearing test and a test where the technician shoots water into your ears to measure density or something. My tumor was benign and about the size of a thumbnail. i was told about microsurgery and the Gamma knife procedures from which to choose. Best advice is to browse through the John Hopkins website and read everything about Acoustic Neuromas (quite helpful!), then look up the background and credentials of the doctors you will be dealing with. After much research and asking lots of questions, I decided to have the microsurgery because for me I felt the risk factors were more manageable and the success rate more to my liking. The Radiation (Gamma Knife) surgery, I was told, is newer than Microsurgery, but if the entire tumor is not gone, it could return as malignant. With micro, the tumor is totally removed, but you may or may not lose your hearing permanently. There are known cases where the balance/hearing nerve has regenerated itself and hearing restored. Your balance will be affected, but the other ear and your brain will compensate for the loss and restore balance again over time. Will say more later. Frank
