Kirsty Gallacher has provided a fresh update on her benign brain tumour. The 50-year-old presenter underwent radiotherapy last year in an attempt to shrink the inoperable growth, which is situated in the inner canal of her right ear.
Upcoming MRI Scan
Appearing on the Vanessa show on Channel 5 on Wednesday, Kirsty revealed she has an MRI scan scheduled to assess whether the radiotherapy was effective. She explained: 'I found out I had basically a brain tumour, an acoustic neuroma in my right ear. I went deaf a few years ago, and I had radiotherapy last year, so I've got my MRI coming up soon where we'll know whether it's worked.'
The success rate is very good, but the treatment will not eliminate the tumour entirely. 'It's whether it shrinks it and sort of kills the DNA that keeps making it grow, really,' she added.
Ongoing Hearing Challenges
Kirsty, who is a mother of two, shared the difficulties she continues to face. 'It's hard, I'm very hard of hearing now in my right ear, and the tinnitus is far worse than it was sadly when I was here a year ago,' she said. Four years ago, she first disclosed her diagnosis of a benign ear tumour, and since then she has spoken openly about her battle with tinnitus and hearing loss resulting from the condition.
The former Sky Sports presenter previously noted that surgical removal of the tumour would be 'very dangerous'. During an appearance on Loose Women, she recalled: 'A couple of years ago, I literally woke up and I couldn't really hear out of my right ear and I thought, "Oh, that's a bit odd". I'd been flown the week before and thought it's not popped, and went to the doctor and it was a medical emergency because obviously, it could be a brain tumour.'
She praised the medical team: 'They were brilliant, they sent me straight to see a consultant. It took a while for them to work out what was going on because it was after Covid, but it is called an acoustic neuroma, which is a benign tumour that happens to many people. Don't know why.'
Coping in Noisy Environments
Kirsty has also discussed the challenges posed by noisy settings. She admitted: 'They have suggested a hearing aid. I'm not there yet, I don't think. I'm managing it fine. I do find it upsetting and I sympathise... it's management and sometimes if I'm in an acoustically difficult environment, say I was out for dinner last night, noisy environment, I have to leave sometimes. I get really upset. I can't cope with it because I can't hear anyone... I now look at people's lips because my hearing loss is pretty bad in my right ear.'
Kirsty was diagnosed after experiencing hearing difficulties during rehearsals for GB News in 2021.
