Sophie Martin, 29, from the Lake District, initially dismissed her hearing loss as a result of listening to loud music through earphones. However, after experiencing tinnitus and vertigo, she visited her GP in June 2025. A CT scan revealed a mass on her brain, leading to a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare genetic condition causing noncancerous tumours on nerves.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Martin first noticed her earphones sounded quieter in her right ear and that phone calls were muffled. She said: "I was a constant music listener, so I assumed the hearing loss was linked to that. I loved music, but now I can barely hear it." By June 2025, her hearing had deteriorated significantly, and she began experiencing vertigo attacks. Her GP referred her for a CT scan, which showed a brain mass. "I went home absolutely terrified, thinking my hearing loss had caused a brain tumour?" she recalled.
Emergency Surgery
That evening, the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle called Martin back urgently due to fluid on her brain. She needed immediate surgery to insert a VP shunt to drain the fluid, which was caused by the tumours. Further scans revealed seven benign tumours on her brain and spinal cord. In January 2026, she underwent removal of an acoustic neuroma at Salford Royal Hospital. The tumour had grown to 4.6 cm and was pressing on her brain, leaving her temporarily wheelchair-bound. "It was a horrific experience, but 10 hours later, I was done," she said.
Impact and Outlook
The surgery left Martin with facial palsy, 90% hearing loss, and weaker vision. She now travels three hours from the Lake District to Manchester for specialist NF2 care. Doctors have not given a prognosis but noted a 50% chance of passing the condition to any future children. Despite the challenges, Martin remains optimistic: "A year on, I am still learning new things every day about this condition... I have accepted it for what it is. It could be a lot worse."
