Physicians and scientists at the House Ear Clinic and House Ear Institute in Los Angeles are at the forefront of cutting edge research in hearing science and the biology of acoustic neuromas. Research is also ongoing in novel treatment strategies for other tumors that affect the base of the skull. Patients are involved in clinical trials of neuro-protective agents which are being studied for their effectiveness at improving hearing preservation, as well as, facial nerve function after surgery for acoustic neuromas.

Scientists at the House Ear Clinic and Institute are studying schwannoma cells (the tumor sells in acoustic neuromas) in an effort to develop gene therapy protocols. This genetic approach will likely take many years to develop, but certainly has promise.

Two years later he had a routine follow-up MRI scan, which unfortunately detected a tumor that measured 2.5 centimeters in size. (Figure 7) The tumor was growing, despite the gamma knife treatment with a very high dose of radiation. (Figure 8) He then sought the help of physicians at the House Ear Clinic.

A translabyrinthine approach was performed and the tumor was completely removed. Unfortunately, gamma knife treatment had resulted in scar tissue formation around the tumor and the facial nerve. This made it impossible to save his facial nerve and he was left with an immediate total facial paralysis. Several days following his surgery he underwent facial reanimation surgery. His surgeon connected the nerve that moves the tongue to the facial nerve, called a facial-hypoglossal anastomosis. He has since recovered some of his facial function, but still has some weakness.