Identification of acoustic neuroma in noise-exposed workers

Over a 5-year period, 10 workers petitioning the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) of British Columbia for compensation for occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) were determined to be suffering from undiagnosed acoustic neuroma. Seven out of 10 claimants were workers in industries with high profile hearing conservation programs. Nine subjects presented with asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss, only one of whom had had otoneurological workup prior to investigation at the Hearing Branch of the Workers' Compensation Board. Two case histories are presented.