After a severe bout of vertigo last week I went to my GP. After I described my symptoms (which includes moderate to severe tinnitus in my left ear) and some examinations he wants to send me for an MRI to investigate Acoustic neurinoma. Although it hasn't actually been diagnosed (and I'm probably over reacting) but this has really unnerved me and I just wanted to reach out and talk to anyone who has experience of this for information about it.
Thank you
Hello, a lot of people who go to the Drs with tinnitus, especially one sided tinnitus get sent for an MRI, I was, it’s a routine check to rule out a physical cause of the tinnitus. It’s more than likely the MRI will come back clear. My Nephew recently saw a private consultant regarding tinnitus and he had an MRI too. Try not to worry, the procedure is quite simple, I was worried about the scan but it was no problem at all.
UK pathways that docs follow is to have you tested to exclude anything sinister - just a standard procedure. As philip says, I’m just reinforcing.
Also supporting the comments so far that MRI is a standard Doctors path to rule out anything sinister and as far as im aware most of the time it turns out to be clear, which was also the case in my own experience.
A few years back, I woke up with severe vertigo, i couldnt move my head off the bed without the room violently spinning and I lost hearing in one ear. Fast forward time, this left me with hyperacusis (sound sensitivity) and high pitched tinnitus. I had an MRI as a first step and it was clear and over time the vertigo improved and dissappeared and the hyperacusis and tinnitus has been managed.
One thing you will hear and oh so true is the stress will make the tinnitus seem louder and more intrusive which in turn will make you more stressed, etc. Try as much as you can to not worry, easier said than done, but this is the key at the start to reverse the cycle and lead to recovery.
I would also suggest reading other peoples success stories and using the experience of people on forums such as this to help you through the tough times. We are all on here to give as much help as possible to anyone that needs it.
Hi LL. Try not to worry. As everyone says - it's the standard pathway for single sided hearing loss. I'm deaf in one ear and I've had a CT scan (I couldn't get in the MRI scanner) . The scan showed a little mark on my deaf side but ENT told me it's nothing to worry about. ANs have to be big to cause any problems. You can live perfectly happily with a little one your whole life. Lots of people do.
Thank you all so much for your advice and support.You hear the word "tumor" and the brain goes into overdrive. I'm going to try and focus on the important things in life (family, friends and work) and hopefully block out the negativity and my singing ear xxxx
Hello - I think that was a bit insensitive of your GP to mention an Accoustic Neuroma before you have had tests. Try not to worry. My niece has been diagnosed as having one of these for about 5 years now. They are usually benign and very slow growing - hers has only grown the width of a hair since diagnosed and she has yearly MRI’s to monitor it. There could be lots of other reasons for your symptoms. Hope you get seen quickly. x
When my T started it was only in one ear, and my GP sent me for a MRI scan to rule out anything serious, came back all clear. Please take some ear protection as it is very loud. Best wishes.
Hello, I can understand your worry, hopefully your results will come back all clear.
IF and it’s a big IF they find an acoustic neuroma they are often very slow growing and benign. Until they have the results of the mri they don’t know. There is a lovely charity that offers information called BANA they have a private group on Facebook too.
I had a large AN removed just over a year ago.
I hope you get your tests done soon.
As everyone else says, the MRI scan is a routine test when you have tinnitus and/or hearing loss in one ear. I had the scan and the consultant told me it was highly unlikely to show an acoustic neuroma, as only 3 or 4% of tests come back positive. I'm not a medic but I understand that an AN grows very slowly, so I doubt that a sudden attack of vertigo and tinnitus would be the result of an AN.
Hi
I was sent for am MRI following an episode similiar to what you describe, as others it's standard practice. Mine showed nothing untoward.
R
Adding to Rho-Eta's post, the British Acoustic Neuroma Association have a website and support service which you can find here - bana-uk.com/
No disrespect to Rho-Eta or Pat .. but I wouldn't recommend going on BANA until you know the outcome of the scan. It could cause you unecessary anxiety.
my story with T 
Relief and Quiet 
Wearing NHS Phonak hearing aids for one week
New here . 
Muscle jerks when falling asleep
