Recovery of eighth nerve function after cerebellopontine angle surgery.

Retrocochlear lesions cause typical patterns of hearing loss as detailed in special audiometric tests. Such losses, however, may be temporary deficits. Indeed, return to near normalcy following severely depressed auditory function is documented in this article. Conservative surgery on lesions influencing eighth nerve function should be considered. This is not to say that neoplasia can be partially removed, but rather that when tumors can be resected while preserving the cochlear nerve, this should be done inasmuch as good hearing levels may be restored.