I didn't read every post in this interesting (and probably inevitable) thread but as what we now call an Acoustic Neuroma tumor was noted and even operated on over 100 years ago (unsuccessfully in most cases, as using mallets and gouges for brain 'surgery' wasn't conducive to patient survival) I have to doubt that 'stress', cell phones, microwave ovens, youthful marijuana smoking, modern food additives, rock music (live or heard via headphones) or even exposure to asbestos really has anything to do with them. I suspect that ANs are genetic and not a manifestation of any environmental or emotional condition. They have likely been around for many, many centuries, before medicine moved from leeches and bleeding to 'cure' physical ailments. Now, with the MRI and increased physician and patient awareness of the somewhat rare AN tumor, we're seeing more of them and quite naturally, speculating on the cause, in the hope that by learning the cause, we can prevent AN tumors. That would be wonderful but as the cause of most cancers cannot be found or eliminated despite billions spent on that disease, I don't see a 'cure' for AN growth happening in our lifetime. Well, not in mine, anyway. I hope I'm mistaken. I really do.
Jim
