Silent Intrusion
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Hearing loss, ringing in your ear, unexplained dizziness – many people might think it’s just the typical signs of aging – but for some, these are a signs of a tumor. They’re called acoustic neuromas, and although rare, they can be life-changing, even life-threatening.
Julie Sifford and her daughter Eliza do just about everything together. But when Julie started feeling lightheaded and dizzy, it became more difficult to do just about anything.
“I’d had some tinnitus, the ringing in my ear, that really started increasing over time. I’d had some hearing loss and in my left ear and just assumed it was normal aging,” Julie recalls.
An MRI revealed an acoustic neuroma – a small, non-cancerous tumor, the size of a raisin, pressing on the main nerve connecting Julie’s ear to her brain.
“It’s like the covering of the wire that’s just growing out of control, and it damages hearing. It can get big enough to compress the brainstem,” explains Rick Friedman, MD, PhD, Neurotologist, Professor & Director of the UC San Diego Health Acoustic Neuroma Program.
Dr. Friedman and neurosurgeon Mark Schwartz specialize in removing these tumors. The key is to remove the tumor – preserve the hearing while not damaging any facial nerves.
Julie says with relief, “I knew, immediately, that I had preserved my hearing.”
Although she will not regain any hearing she’s already lost, Julie feels fortunate that it won’t get any worse. Her balance is improving, and she’s ready for the next soccer season to begin.
Acoustic neuromas are caused by the overproduction of Schwann cells in the nervous system. Depending on the size of the tumor, patients have three options – wait and watch to see if the tumor grows, radiation, and surgery. Surgery is the only option that will guarantee no more hearing will be lost.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Matt Goldschmidt, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com.
