Audiology Student Diagnosis Own Vestibular Schwannoma

Due to no appointments to observe today, I found a pretty interesting article concerning vestibular schwannomas. The author of this article and also an audiologist, Renee M. Muto, diagnosed herself with a rare vestibular schwannoma (VS) (aka: acoustic neuroma). The woman began to notice unilateral tinnitus in the left ear in March 1992. Muto next noticed bouts of lightheadness (dizziness). The symptoms lasted for over a month until Muto suggested to herself that it may be a serious issue. In April of 1992, Muto had an audiologic evaluation performed. Her audiogram revealed normal hearing as she had in graduate school. Although, there was a 10-15dB sensorineural drop in the left ear which was not present in the right. Speech testing was not valid due to her experience with the word lists and immittance testing came out normal. Muto also obtained an ENG test which showed normal vestibular functioning. In May 1992, she had an ABR test done which she could compare to her normal results from graduate school. An ipsilateral recording of the left ear showed many waves past wave I to be delayed with the ILD for wave V being abnormal. Knowing that all the symptoms and test results suggested a VS, she contacted a neurologist who performed an MRI specific for the IAC.
The MRI revealed a intracanicular vestibular schwannoma. Muto was shocked and felt difficulty explaining this to others since she was an audiologist herself and did not make a big deal out of her symptoms. After consultation with an otologist and neurosurgeon Muto opted for surgery with particular concern for hearing preservation (retrograde). She did much research herself but found most help from another VS survivor. She strongly encourages this contact because the person who had overcome this problem with the same methods gave her much information based on the experience that books or specialists couldn't do. Muto mentioned that during her surgery, her colleagues had actually done the intraoperative monitoring which she had once done herself.
After the surgery, in the hospital, Muto experienced severe vertigo and nausea later accompanied by a major headache. She learned that the inferior and superior vestibular nerves were severed during surgery. Her main concern at the time was with hearing. She noticed that there was a significant loss and later found from an audiologic evaluation that her loss was profound in her left ear. Research shows that there is a better chance of preserving hearing with small tumors which confused Muto because her tumor was rather small. Other less significant factors could have played a role though. Muto tried hearing aids with no luck. The headaches continued without much help from medications. She also experiences slight balance problems though the right vestibular system has mostly compensated for the left side.
Overall, this article is great at explaining from an audiologists and clients perspective, the feelings and affects of a VS. Muto stresses the importance of postoperative counseling. It is important for us as audiologists to give the clients as much information as possible!

Reference:
Muto, R. (1994). Acoustic neuroma case review: An audiologit's self-portrait. American Journal of Audiology, 3, 32-36.