When Sue Hitchmough first began feeling ill, she wasn’t sure what to think. Doctors told her that she had an ear infection, but antibiotics didn’t seem to fix anything. She became extremely dizzy and sometimes woke up in the middle of the night feeling like she was choking. Sometimes, she found herself struggling to hear. At first, she thought she might be overdoing it at the gym. Yes, that must be it, as well as not eating enough. But when her symptoms continued, shares The Mirror, Sue pursued additional testing—which found that she had a low-grade acoustic neuroma. 

Although acoustic neuromas are considered to be benign, Sue was still terrified to hear that she had a tumor growing so close to her brain. She chose to undergo surgery to remove the tumor, which was 3.5cm (1.37 inches). Now, Sue has unilateral hearing loss, loss of taste, and inability to cry. She also requires a brain shunt to remove excess fluid and avoid hydrocephalus, which can be a complication in certain acoustic neuroma cases. 

This experience has been troubling at times, but Sue is more committed than ever to raise awareness and form a community. In addition to participating in a charity firewalk, she launched an Instagram account to share her experience and remind others that they are not alone. 

What is an Acoustic Neuroma?

Also known as vestibular schwannoma, an acoustic neuroma is a rare tumor that forms on the main nerve that links the brain and inner ear. These tumors are benign and relatively slow-growing. However, they can put pressure on the vestibular nerve and surrounding tissue, which causes the characteristic health effects. While doctors know that issues with a gene on chromosome 22 play a role in acoustic neuroma development, they’re not exactly sure why. Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and being between 40-50 years old also increase the risk of developing this tumor. Symptoms can include:

• Dizziness and imbalance
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Progressive hearing loss (that is often unilateral)
• Facial numbness and/or weakness
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Headaches
• In rare cases, hydrocephalus

Treatment options for acoustic neuroma include observation and monitoring, radiation, and surgery, although surgery is normally reserved for larger or more severe cases.