They typically grow slowly and damage hearing and sometimes balance over time. They can be removed surgically and they can be treated with radiation. Partial hearing loss in the affected ear (usually a high frequency loss) is probable and complete deafness in that ear is possible. The most common symptom is unilaterally hearing loss, but other symptoms may include balance problems and unilateral facial weakness or paralysis (similar to Bell's Palsy"). Although not malignant, acoustic neuromas can grow large enough to put pressure on the brainstem and result in death. Acoustic neuromas are normally unilateral, but can occur bilaterally in rare circumstances. Unilateral acoustic neuromas are not hereditary, but if they occur bilaterally, they are thought to be related to a completely different condition called neurofibromatosis II (NF2), which is hereditary.

Checkout the Acoustic Neuroma Association web page for more information.