About "One Ear to the Ground".

This website aims to provide general and self help information for acoustic neuroma patients including some of the less frequent and 'lower profile' difficulties faced by acoustic neuroma patients after treatment and to assist the British Acoustic Neuroma Association in promoting a British perspective on acoustic neuroma.

This web site came into being some years ago when there was little useful information available to patients (mainly those who had undergone surgery) to help recovery and rehabilitation. That situation has improved and there is an abundance of information available to the patient, largely due to the Internet. The quality of outcomes is better - no doubt owing much to enhanced imaging techniques and greater awareness of acoustic neuroma leading to earlier diagnosis. Enhanced surgical procedures, excellence of surgical skills and technological progress contribute to better outcomes which in turn often translate into a better quality of life for today's post operative patient. Despite the improvement in outcomes, it appears that there are still some patients who derive benefit from this web site - it will therefore continue for the time being.

In recent years non - invasive techniques using radiotherapy such as the gamma knife and fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery have become the treatment choice for many of us. It is unfortunate that the subject of treatment methods has resulted in much professional controversy. It is not intended that this web site becomes involved in this controversy other than to inform patients that alternatives exist. More information on treatment options can be located on the BANA web site but decisions should only be made after the appropriate professional advice has been obtained.

Although most of the information has been unchanged for some time, this website will continue in 2006 continuing to focus on "life after acoustic neuroma" with emphasis on the difficulties faced by patients, mainly those who have have microsurgery, as they resume their normal lives .

Although presented here from a British perspective, the subject applies internationally. I urge any patient to join an acoustic neuroma association such as BANA in the United Kingdom or ANA in the United States.

Brian Lloyd

for information on the various methods of acoustic neuroma treatment seek professional medical advice.

'Disclaimer'

These are personal pages concentrating on the issues which can face acoustic neuroma patients after surgery as they resume their lives. These pages do not endorse or recommend any particular method of acoustic neuroma treatment or practitioner and advises that qualified medical advice should always be sought. The pages reflects the personal views, opinions and experiences of myself and my contributors, who are mostly acoustic neuroma patients.

I am using terminology which I hope will promote a general understanding in lay terms rather  than trying to be medically exact - please note that when I refer to "surgeon" or "surgery" or "operation" the terms should be taken in the broadest sense and include all forms of treatment. I use the terms "symptom" and "persistent symptom" to describe the condition or conditions which are common following treatments for acoustic neuroma.

The use of  'complementary' or 'alternative' remedies,  treatments and therapies are suggested to supplement mainstream treatments, not replace them. 

Views and opinions expressed in this web site are not intended as medical advice and should not take the place of advice of suitably qualified medical professionals.