Jane put her hearing loss and balance problems down to getting older and going through menopause14:08, 25 Jun 2026Updated 14:26, 25 Jun 2026A musician put her hearing loss and balance problems down to getting older, before being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Jane Hull, from Loughborough, noticed her hearing was getting worse and experienced persistent ringing in one ear for 18 months.‌The 56-year-old clarinettist had also developed balance problems, brain fog and facial numbness. Doctors initially believed that her symptoms were a result of age and the menopause, until the true cause was eventually uncovered.‌When her symptoms failed to improve, scans at Spire Nottingham Hospital revealed a 3cm slow-growing tumour on the nerve responsible for hearing and balance in September 2024. Despite being benign, she was transferred to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where she underwent a gruelling 13-hour operation to remove the acoustic neuroma, reports Leicestershire Live.‌Jane said: "Before my diagnosis, I was incredibly active. I loved swimming, cycling, running, walking and taking part in triathlons."Exercise had always been a huge part of my life and I also played the clarinet with my local concert band. Keeping busy, setting goals and challenging myself was simply who I was."Putting brains on ice to save stroke victims, weight-loss drugs make you less violent, the one rule to follow if you want to eat healthily, osteoporosis breakthrough, and shingles vaccine slashes dementia risk - all this and more in our science newsletter‌"Looking back, the signs were all there, but at the time I just thought it was part of getting older and going through the menopause. A brain tumour wasn't even something I had considered."Surgeons warned Jane she would permanently lose all hearing in her left ear and faced a 20% risk of facial palsy following the procedure. She claims it "felt like losing a part of [her] identity".‌Jane said: "The surgery itself was frightening, but the thought of never playing the clarinet again was devastating. I've played since I was nine years old and music is a huge part of who I am. What followed was something I wasn't prepared for."I lost all hearing in my left ear, had to learn how to balance again and spent Christmas back in the hospital after suffering a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Recovery was long and challenging, but slowly I began to rebuild my confidence and independence."‌She channelled her energy into regaining her strength through physical activity, beginning with short walks to the end of her street. Throughout her recuperation, Jane was supported by her husband, Rob, their two children, Becky and Matthew, as well as her wider circle of family and friends for support.Fifteen months later, Jane has returned to work and taken up the clarinet once more. She is now training to give something back by supporting others facing similar health struggles.Jane said: "My life is a bit different now and there are still daily challenges. I have to work much harder to hear conversations, busy places can be overwhelming and my balance isn't what it used to be - but I'm incredibly proud that I kept going.‌"I've returned to work, completed the London Marathon and become fitter and stronger than I've ever been. If anything, this experience has shown me how resilient people can be."Jane has collected more than £12,000 for various charities and is now gearing up to tackle the Robin Hood Half Marathon in Nottingham on September 27 in support of Brain Tumour Research. She said: "Supporting organisations that help people affected by brain tumours is my way of giving something back.‌"Brain tumours can have a life-changing impact, even when they're low-grade, and there is still so much we don't understand. That's why research is so important. I hope that by sharing my story and supporting Brain Tumour Research, I can help raise awareness and give hope to others facing a similar diagnosis."Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Jane's determination throughout her recovery has been truly inspiring. Despite facing significant challenges following brain surgery, she refused to give up and has achieved remarkable things, including preparing for the Robin Hood Half Marathon and raising thousands of pounds for charity."By sharing her story, Jane is helping to raise awareness of the long-term impact brain tumours can have on patients and their families. We're incredibly grateful for her support and hope her experience will encourage others to back our mission to improve outcomes for patients and ultimately find a cure."Article continues belowTo support Jane’s fundraising efforts, click here.