Which is a benign tumor arising from the acoustic vestibulocochlear nerve in the brain?

• A. Acoustic neuroma
• B. Otitis
• C. Cerumen impaction
• D. Ear lavage water temperature

Answer: (A)

A benign tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII) is an acoustic neuroma, also known as a vestibular schwannoma. It develops from Schwann cells that coat the nerve, typically in the cerebellopontine angle. Because it grows slowly and affects the hearing/balance portions of the nerve, it most commonly presents with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and sometimes vertigo or balance issues. Other items listed are not tumors: otitis is an ear infection, cerumen impaction is earwax blockage, and ear lavage water temperature is a safety factor during cleaning, not a tumor.