Cerebellopontine angle epidermoid in a noise-exposed patient

A cerebellopontine angle epidermoid was identified in a noise-exposed patient as part of an occupational hearing conservation program. The patient is a 24-year-old employee of a major national newspaper who, because of workplace noise levels, was required to be part of a hearing conservation program. A shift in thresholds in 1 year was identified by the audiologic reviewer and referral for audiologic and otologic services was recommended and carried out. The steps leading from the initial air-conduction, pure-tone audiogram to final neurosurgical removal of the epidermoid CPA lesion was described. Such referral is essential if potentially health and life threatening conditions are to be identified and managed, although the primary objectives of the hearing conservation program remains the prevention of sensorineural hearing loss from workplace noise exposure.