Risk Factors

The only known risk factor for acoustic neuroma is having the rare genetic disorder neurofibromatosis 2, which involves the development of benign tumors on the vestibulocochlear nerves on both sides of your head, as well as on other nerves.

Neurofibromatosis 2 is known as an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning the mutation occurs on a nonsex chromosome (autosome) and can be passed on from only one parent (dominant gene). If either parent has this disorder, their children have a 50-50 chance of inheriting it.

Acoustic neuromas are most common in people between the ages of 30 and 60 years old.

Some evidence has suggested that persistent exposure to very loud noise or heavy cell phone use may play a role in the development of acoustic neuroma, but findings from studies looking into these associations have been inconclusive.