Acoustic neuroma: suggestions for helping the patient adapt after translabyrinthine surgery.

An acoustic neuroma is a benign, slow growing tumor which arises from the eighth cranial nerve and produces a variety of symptoms. The translabyrinthine approach is one of the most common surgical procedures employed to remove an acoustic neuroma. Surgical removal may result in frustrating alterations to which the individual must adapt. Patient education can prepare the patient for these alterations and facilitate adaptation.