I went to an ENT about 4 years ago for what I thought was an ear infection---full feeling, diminished hearing. He sent me for an MRI immediately but I panicked in the tube and left. The hearing issue never cleared up, and got worse. I also had some pain in that ear and some weird ringing, like a hammer on metal. A year later, I went back to that ENT and he yelled at me (lovingly) for having waited so long. He prescribed valium and an open MRI. When I had it done, that same day, I took the film back to him and he got all excited--"You have what looks like an acoustic neuroma. I have seen them, but don't specialize in them but I know someone who does." He called the Otorhinlaryngologist the next day, and got me in there within a week. I am very grateful to the ENT and was happy to see that he was voted as one of "Philly's Top Docs".
I may be wrong, but I think doctors are becoming more aware of this type of tumor, and therefore diagnosing them more quickly.
K.
