Frequency-Specific hearing changes in vestibular schwannoma and the greater sensitivity of ABR in small tumors

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign vestibular nerve tumor. The association between tumor size and auditory dysfunction, especially in small VSs, remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess audiological changes with increasing tumor size in VS and identify tumor-size thresholds related to hearing impairment. MATERIAL AND

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Audiologists should consider ABR testing as a more sensitive tool than standard audiometry for detecting small vestibular schwannomas, particularly when frequency-specific hearing changes — especially at high frequencies — are observed.

Demonstrating ABR's superior sensitivity for small vestibular schwannomas could refine referral and screening protocols, potentially enabling earlier detection and less invasive management options.

1. 01ABR (auditory brainstem response) showed greater sensitivity than standard audiometry for detecting small vestibular schwannomas.
2. 02Hearing loss in vestibular schwannoma patients shows frequency-specific patterns worth characterising clinically.
3. 03Small tumors may not produce obvious audiometric changes, making ABR a critical adjunct.
4. 04Earlier detection via ABR may expand treatment options including active surveillance or radiosurgery.
5. 05Published in Acta Otolaryngologica; PMID 42974812.

PMID

42974812

DOI

10.1080/00016489.2026.2752666.

Journal

Acta Otolaryngologica

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma

Intervention

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing and frequency-specific audiometry in vestibular schwannoma

Comparator

Standard audiometry