What are the other effects of a bruised or damaged facial nerve?
Following surgery for acoustic neuromas, you might have one or several of the following: a degree of facial weakness and incomplete eye closure (see above). You might also experience inappropriate facial movement such as spontaneous twitching of one group of muscles. You might also have dryness or excess tears in the eye because of the facial nerve weakness. You can also experience an alteration of taste because the fibres of the facial nerve, as they regrow, can do so down the nerve sheathes of different nerves. These are because the facial nerve runs very close to the acoustic neuroma. As you begin to make your recovery from the surgery, these should slowly begin to improve. The facial nerve can recover quite slowly, so please be patient. We know that patients can continue to improve function for up to about 18 months, and we will support you throughout this time.
