Most people with an acoustic neuroma initially visit their GP with symptoms such as hearing loss in one ear, tinnitus in one ear, or dizziness.

The doctor will send them to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinic at the local hospital. A consultant takes a medical history and organises hearing tests and possibly balance tests, depending on the symptoms.

If these tests suggest the possibility of an acoustic neuroma, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerised tomography (CT) scan is arranged.