Vestibular Schwannoma
Overview
Vestibular schwannoma is a benign, slow-growing tumor that forms on the major (vestibular) nerve that connects your inner ear to your brain. This nerve's branches have a direct impact on your balance and hearing, and pressure from an vestibular schwannoma can cause hearing loss, ringing in your ear, and unsteadiness. Vestibular schwannoma is often formed by the Schwann cells that surround this nerve and develops slowly or not at all. It may develop quickly and become large enough to push against the brain and interfere with key processes in rare cases.