Hi Bruce, I have started with the full AN's list of symptoms after a car accident in 1990, but the tinnitus was intermittent, to become full time 2 years after after another fall, hitting my head, as vertigo was quite bad. off course doctors (I saw many) all attributed these symptoms to the car accident sequel until a scan showed the AN. Size 1.8 cm x 1 cm, with perhaps a small extension towards the exit in the cerebellopontis angle.
The surgeon, like yours advised e to wait, checking first in 3 months with MRI, then revising decision at each check-up. I had convinced myself that it would shrink as this is a possibility, (I know personaly one case). the symptoms, after the next 2 years (they increased badly then) started to fade and become so unobtrusive that I was happy not to have opt for treatment The AN has found a way to decompress from the inner canal by growing in the cpa, but slowly enough to warrant check-up every 2 years now.
I would have preferred the "involution", off course.
A few personal facts are important in your choice of decision. Your age, your sex (as maternity does change the hormone level and promote growth of the tumor) (not applicable here, Bruce!}, and off course, the exact location of your AN in the IAC.
But it is possible, YES, that this tumor stop growing for years or for good, and, meanwhile, the treatments are becoming better. I saw a video of the "minimum intrusion" endoscopic surgery and, if this become the norm, that is the way i would choose. Unfortunately, i am aging besides all this. There is no cure for that.
Good luck, Bruce, you are in good hands.
antoinette