Hearing improvement following removal of acoustic neuroma with preoperative sudden deafness.

We report three cases of small intracanalicular acoustic tumor with sudden hearing loss (SHL). The tumors were totally removed through the middle cranial fossa approach, preserving both the facial and cochlear nerves between one and four months after the onset of deafness. From one to three months postoperatively hearing has improved significantly. Hearing improvement in acoustic tumor surgery is a new aspect to be studied more in the future. Although the data are insufficient to draw broad conclusions, surgical removal of small acoustic tumors is rational to improve hearing, reduce or eliminate tinnitus and prevent recurrent attacks of deafness or vertigo. Factors relevant to postoperative hearing improvement are considered.