Diagnosis
The diagnosis of acoustic neuromas starts from simple tests. They are mentioned below:
a. Audiometry: This is a hearing test, which helps to detect whether the nerve affecting the hearing balance (eight cranial nerve) is working properly or not.
b. Brainstem auditory evoked response: This test measures the brains response to the clicking sounds in the patient’s ear. This helps to determine whether the eight cranial nerve is functioning normally and if the hearing and brainstem are functioning well.
c. Electronystagmography (ENG): This test is done to evaluate the whether the dizziness of the patient is caused by ear problem.
d. Computerized tomography (CT) scan: The detailed imaging test can reveal tumors in the brain such as Acoustic Neuroma.
e. Magnetic resonance test (MRI): This is a technique of detailed imaging, which is used sometimes with Gadolinium contrast. This too can be used to see the tumors of the brain and maybe preferred over CT scans.
