What is an acoustic neuroma?

THE non- cancerous brain tumour, also known as a vestibular schwannoma, grows on the nerve used for hearing and balance.

Most sufferers are aged 30 to 60 and it can cause hearing loss and unsteadiness. There is usually no obvious cause, although a few cases result from a genetic condition.

Large acoustic neuromas can cause a life- threatening build- up of fluid in the brain, but it is rare for them to get to this stage.