Quick Answer
Balance difficulties are a recognised side effect of surgery for vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialist exercise-based therapy that helps the brain adapt to changes in balance signalling, reducing dizziness and restoring confidence over time.
With a personalised programme and regular sessions, many people make meaningful progress.
Vestibular schwannoma surgery can be necessary and life-changing, but for many people, recovery involves an often-overlooked challenge: balance difficulties and dizziness that need active support to resolve. The positive news is that vestibular rehabilitation works. After vestibular schwannoma surgery, balance difficulties and persistent dizziness are a common and often under-discussed side effect. They can make everyday life feel unreliable in ways that are hard to explain to others.
This is the story of Abbie, a client who came to angli-EAR Hearing following surgery for a vestibular schwannoma. With support from our vestibular specialist, Shreya Tiwari, she went through a tailored rehabilitation programme and gradually rebuilt her balance, reduced her dizziness, and regained the confidence to move through the world as she had before. Shreya explains what happened:
What is a vestibular schwannoma, and why does it affect balance?
A vestibular schwannoma, sometimes called an acoustic neuroma, is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that grows on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. This nerve carries both hearing and balance signals as part of the Vestibular System, so even a small growth in this area can disrupt both.
Surgery to remove the tumour is often the right course of action, but the procedure itself can affect the vestibular nerve. After the operation, the brain has to relearn how to process balance information, often working with a signal that is now weaker or absent on one side. This adjustment does not always happen on its own, and without support, the resulting dizziness and unsteadiness can persist for months.
What was Abbie’s experience before vestibular rehabilitation?
Abbie came to us after her surgery with two main difficulties. The first was persistent low-level dizziness that followed her through her daily routine. The second was a loss of confidence with movement. Simple things, such as walking in busy environments, navigating stairs, or turning her head quickly, had become unpredictable in a way that made her cautious and hesitant.
These kinds of symptoms are entirely understandable after what the vestibular system has been through. But they also have a significant knock-on effect. When movement feels unsafe, people naturally begin to avoid it, and that avoidance can slow recovery considerably.
A referral to our vestibular rehabilitation service followed, and Abbie was assessed by Shreya.
What does vestibular rehabilitation involve?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a structured, exercise-based therapy designed to help the brain compensate for changes in balance signalling. Rather than treating the inner ear directly, it works by encouraging the brain to find new ways to interpret and respond to movement, and it forms the basis of our Vestibular and Balance Service.
Shreya designed a programme specifically for Abbie, taking into account her particular pattern of symptoms, her movement difficulties, and her goals for daily life. Exercises were introduced gradually, adjusted at each session based on how Abbie was progressing, and supported with a home exercise plan so that the work could continue between appointments.
“Vestibular rehabilitation after schwannoma surgery is about giving the brain the right stimulus to adapt. We design each programme around what that person actually needs — what their symptoms are, what their daily life looks like, and what’s holding them back. For Abbie, the goal was always to help her feel safe and confident in movement again, not just to reduce a number on a scale.”
Shreya, Vestibular Specialist, angli-EAR Hearing
How did Abbie progress through the programme?
Progress in vestibular rehabilitation is rarely a straight line. There are days that feel harder, particularly as exercises are designed to gently challenge the balance system in order to encourage it to adapt. But over the course of her sessions with Shreya, Abbie made steady and meaningful gains.
Her dizziness became less frequent and less intense. Her balance improved in the situations that had previously felt most difficult. And perhaps most importantly, her confidence came back. She felt able to walk into busier spaces, to move without bracing for a stumble, and to get on with her life in a way that had not been possible immediately after surgery.
Could vestibular rehabilitation help you after surgery?
Persistent balance difficulties following surgery don’t have to be permanent. If you are experiencing persistent dizziness, unsteadiness, or a loss of confidence with movement after an operation, vestibular rehabilitation is worth exploring.
It is also relevant for people who have been told their balance may have been affected by a tumour, an infection, or another condition involving the inner ear or the vestibular nerve, even if they have not had surgery.
At angli-EAR Hearing, our vestibular rehabilitation service is led by Shreya, who works with each client to understand their specific symptoms and design a programme that fits their life. We also offer a Free 15-Minute Vestibular and Balance Health Check as an initial step for anyone who is unsure whether this kind of support might help them.
If balance difficulties or dizziness are affecting your confidence or daily routine, we’d encourage you to get in touch. A Free 15-Minute Vestibular and Balance Health Check is a no-pressure way to find out whether vestibular rehabilitation could help.
Ready to take the next step? Book an Initial Vestibular and Balance Appointment with Shreya at angli-EAR Hearing in Great Shelford.
Call us on 01223 661399, email [email protected], or book online.
Frequently asked questions
How long does vestibular rehabilitation take after acoustic neuroma surgery?
This varies from person to person. Some clients notice meaningful improvement within a few weeks of consistent work; others need several months, particularly if symptoms were significant before they started rehabilitation. Shreya will be able to give you a clearer picture after an initial assessment.
Is vestibular rehabilitation available on the NHS?
Vestibular rehabilitation is available through some NHS pathways, though access and waiting times vary. Many people choose to access it privately to begin sooner and benefit from a more tailored programme. At angli-EAR Hearing, we offer vestibular rehabilitation on a private basis.
Will I need to do exercises at home as well as coming to sessions?
Yes. Home exercises are a core part of vestibular rehabilitation. The work you do between sessions is what drives the brain’s adaptation. Shreya will make sure your home programme is manageable and will adjust it as you progress.
What is the difference between a vestibular schwannoma and an acoustic neuroma?
They refer to the same condition. “Acoustic neuroma” is the older and more commonly used term; “vestibular schwannoma” is now preferred by many clinicians as it more accurately describes the location and type of growth.
I had surgery a while ago. Is it too late to start vestibular rehabilitation?
No. Vestibular rehabilitation can be beneficial at various stages after surgery, not only in the immediate recovery period. If you are still experiencing balance difficulties or dizziness, it is worth having an assessment to understand what may help.
