I was plagued by tinnitus… it was the hidden sign of a brain tumour

A man has told of his horror after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour after suffering with tinnitus for years. 

Darren Harris, from Paignton in Devon, was told he had tinnitus – a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, even when no external sound is present – two years earlier.

But after the 59-year-old underwent a routine hearing test by doctors, he was referred for further tests.

In March 2015, scans showed the retired IT functional analyst had a stage one inoperable tentorial meningioma – a slow growing, low-grade tumour at the base of his brain. 

Although non–cancerous, the condition can cause ear ringing, blurred vision, headaches, hearing loss, poor sense of smell and problems with swallowing. 

Tumours are normally slow–growing but can kill by compressing the brain and nerves if they grow too big. 

After successfully undergoing a ‘cutting edge’ procedure to destroy tumour cells whilst sparing healthy tissue, Mr Harris is now urging for further research into brain tumour treatment. 

He has, however, been left suffering from epilepsy and has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – caused by the stress of seizures. 

As a result, he has had multiple heart procedures and still lives with neurological side effects like visual impairment and pins and needles down his left side.

Recalling his terrifying ordeal, Mr Harris said: ‘I had tinnitus for a couple of years, and my doctors sent me for a hearing test.

‘They did a few treatments that helped and an MRI, but then I was called back for more MRIs, one after another.

‘I knew something wasn’t right, but no one would tell me why. When I was finally referred to a neurosurgeon, my world fell apart.

‘They told me I had a brain tumour.’

Between 2,000 and 3,000 people a year in the UK are diagnosed with a meningioma and it’s more common in women. 

Treatment for inoperable tentorial meningiomas often includes radiation therapy like proton therapy to control growth alongside medication. 

Mr Harris was offered gamma knife radiosurgery at the BMI Thornbury Hospital in  Sheffield, a technique which uses advanced technology to destroy tumour cells with over 300 beams of radiation.

‘It was cutting edge,’ he said. ‘They bolted a metal frame to my skull to keep me completely still, mapped the tumour in 3D, and then targeted it precisely.

‘The treatment cost £35,000. Luckily, I had private health insurance, but many families can’t afford that,’ he said.

Risks of the treatment, however, can in rarer cases trigger seizures, numbness, problems with balance, vision or hearing and fatigue. 

Now, a decade on from his diagnosis, Mr Harris and his wife Sharon, 57, have hosted a a fundraising event for Brain Tumour Research, raising more than £800.

‘Reaching 10 years since my brain tumour diagnosis is something I never take for granted,’ he said. 

‘I know how incredibly lucky I am to still be here, and that’s only because of the treatments and knowledge we have today.

‘But too many people aren’t as fortunate, and that’s why funding into brain tumour research is absolutely vital.

‘We need continued investment so that more people can reach milestones like this, and so families in the future have real hope, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure.’

He added: ‘It’s been a long road, but we believe in giving back.

‘For anyone at the start of their brain tumour journey, take one day at a time and listen to your surgeons.

‘For those that can, please donate to the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal.

‘A donation as little as £5 can fund vital research that will ultimately save lives and give people like me hope for the future.’

Letty Greenfield, Community Development Manager at the charity said: ‘Darren’s courage and willingness to share his experience helps to raise awareness of the need for greater investment in brain tumour research and improved access to life-saving technology.

‘We hope that Darren’s story inspires others to support our Christmas appeal.’

Tinnitus affects an estimated 7.6million Britons and for 1.5million with severe symptoms, it is a debilitating problem with no known cure.