Kirsty Gallacher reveals impact of ear tumour and ‘severe tinnitus' as she opens up about hearing loss on Vanessa Feltz show
Kirsty Gallacher has opened up about her ongoing battle with tinnitus and hearing loss, stemming from a benign tumour in her right ear.
Speaking on The Vanessa Feltz Show alongside audiologist Dr Gladys Sanda, the 49-year-old presenter discussed the challenges she faces in noisy environments.
She said: '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.'
Ms Gallacher was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma—a benign tumour in the inner ear canal—after experiencing hearing difficulties during rehearsals for GB News in 2021.
Initially fearing a brain tumour, the mother-of-two underwent an MRI scan which confirmed the diagnosis.
Speaking candidly on Loose Women in 2022, she recalled: 'I woke up in the summer one morning and I couldn't hear very well in my right ear. I thought "it will pop at some point". It didn't pop. I went on a plane the next week, it didn't pop.
'I went to the doctor and she said "how long has this been going on?" and I said "two weeks". She checked and said you're very healthy, this is an emergency.
'I said "could it be a tumour?" and she said "listen, it probably isn't, but you're going to see a consultant tomorrow".'
'He said "I'm gonna give you a steroid injection into your eardrum." I went back the week after, he said it was an MRI scan. They found I had a very small tumour right in the inner ear canal.'
'I had to have an MRI and doctors discovered I had an acoustic neuroma,' she previously said.
'We have to monitor it as I don't want them to operate on it as it's so close to the brain. I have to have targeted radiotherapy for it, so I'm having to think about that and when I will do it.'
The condition has led to severe tinnitus, affecting her sleep and prompting her to step back from her role at GB News.
She wrote on Instagram at the time: 'During the summer I discovered I have a tumour in the inner canal of my right ear. Thankfully, it's benign and not hugely detrimental to my normal life.
'However, the tumour has caused severe tinnitus which makes it very difficult to sleep. Sadly my 3am starts at GB News, compounded by sleep deprivation, are exacerbating my symptoms.'
Despite these challenges, Ms Gallacher remains optimistic.
'I'm fine, I just have to be ... I'm very lucky and grateful,' she said. She continues to manage her condition while maintaining her career, including her current role as a presenter on Gold Radio.
This comes the day after a fiery exchange on The Vanessa Feltz Show, in which the host clashed with co-star Cristo Foufas during a debate on menopause and the need for greater workplace support.
Feltz, 63, grew visibly exasperated as Foufas argued that similar support should be extended to men experiencing what he dubbed the 'manopause'.
'It is a medical condition so there absolutely should be accommodations made for you at work,' he said. 'But what I will say is if that's the case for women, we should also have something similar for the manopause.'
Fellow guest Jenny Powell retorted sarcastically: 'Right, well how are you suffering at the moment with your manopause?'
Foufas replied: 'I am at the age now where I have a drop in testosterone. You get more lethargic and tired and I know it's not as extreme as the menopause but...'
Interrupting, a stunned Feltz said: 'As extreme?! Any minute now you are going to find yourself booted off my pink sofa. Jenny is being incredibly reserved by not giving you a right thump on the TV!'
Still undeterred, Foufas added: 'I am not underplaying what women go through, but if a man is genuinely lethargic and tired as a result of testosterone levels having dropped, I think that is a valid reason to have some time off work—the same way I would never undermine a woman needing time off.'
Feltz shot back: 'You need one appointment with your doctor to rectify that—what time do you need off!?'
'You have to wait months to have your testosterone tested,' Foufas replied.
'For heaven's sake! I think how very dare you, really!' said Feltz, bringing the debate to a heated close.
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Daily Mirror
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- Daily Mirror
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