Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsRehabilitation
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Associated Conditions
Rehabilitation
Also Known AsThe vestibulocochlear nerve is also known as:Auditory vestibular nerveAcoustic nerveEighth paired cranial nerveCranial nerve eight(CN VIII)
Also Known As
The vestibulocochlear nerve is also known as:Auditory vestibular nerveAcoustic nerveEighth paired cranial nerveCranial nerve eight(CN VIII)
The vestibulocochlear nerve is also known as:
MedicalRF.com / Getty Images
The vestibulocochlear is made up of two nerves—thecochlear nerve, which is responsible for hearing, and thevestibular nerve, which is responsible for balance. As one of the 12cranial nerves, it runs between thepons(the middle of the brainstem) and themedulla oblongata(the lower part of the brainstem).
The vestibular part of the nerve then travels from the inner ear in a group of nerve cells called the vestibular ganglion. The cochlear part of the nerve travels from the cochlea in the inner ear in the spiral ganglion.
The function of the vestibulocochlear nerve is purely sensory. It has no motor function. It communicate ssound and equilibrium information from the inner ear to the brain.
Thecochlea, the part of the inner ear where the cochlear part of the nerve originates, detects soundwaves. These then travel from the spiral ganglion to the brain.
The vestibular apparatus, where the vestibular part of the nerve originates, detects changes in the head’s position based on gravity. Then the position of the head communicates information about balance to the brain.
Conditions of the vestibulocochlear nerve can affect balance and hearing. An otologist or neurotologist commonly work with disorders associated with the vestibulocochlear nerve.
Vestibular neuritis is a disorder of the inner ear that affects the vestibular part of the vestibulocochlear nerve, which is responsible for equilibrium. When this part of the nerve swells, it interferes with information it would normally send to the brain about balance.
Acoustic Neuroma
Acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous tumor that grows on the vestibulocochlear nerve. Tumors may grow on one or both nerves, with unilateral acoustic neuromas (those affecting one ear) being more common.
People who have had neck or face radiation or who have neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) are at higher risk for developing an acoustic neuroma.
Symptoms of acoustic neuroma include:
Diagnosis of acoustic neuroma may include hearing tests,brainstem auditory evoked response(BAER), and MRI.
Treatment for conditions of the vestibulocochlear nerve usually involves managing symptoms until they resolve. Sometimes further intervention, like medication or surgery is required.
If a virus is suspected,antiviralmedications may also be prescribed. Sometimes steroids are also used, although the benefits of steroids are not conclusive.
Treatment of acoustic neuroma depends on the size of the tumor and a person’s general health. Treatment options include watchful waiting, surgery, and radiation.
Surgical removal is done via craniotomy, surgical removal of part of the skull to access the brain. “Keyhole” craniotomy is the less invasive surgery option. In a keyhole craniotomy, a surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear in order to access the affected nerve.
Post-treatment, people may benefit from hearing aids orcochlear implants. Iffacial nervesare damaged during surgery, plastic surgery may restore facial functioning.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bae CH, Na HG, Choi YS.Current diagnosis and treatment of vestibular neuritis: a narrative review. J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2022 Apr;39(2):81-88. doi: 10.12701/yujm.2021.01228
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma).
Kundakci B, Sultana A, Taylor AJ, Alshehri MA.The effectiveness of exercise-based vestibular rehabilitation in adult patients with chronic dizziness: A systematic review. F1000Res. 2018 Mar 5;7:276. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.14089.1
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniotomy.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
