'I ignored weird sounds in my ears for years, but it was a tumour'

Paige Footner, 31, thought her symptoms were down to stressNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)08:54, 20 Jul 2026'I ignored weird sounds in my ears for years, but it was a tumour'A paramedic who ignored strange noises in her ear for years was left stunned when doctors discovered a huge brain tumour. Paige Footner had suffered with tinnitus for three years, brushing it off as stress from her busy life as both a medic and circus performer.‌But the 31-year-old was left reeling when a scan revealed a 4cm growth on her brain. Now recovering after surgery, she says the experience has completely changed her outlook and even inspired her to go on 50 dates in search of love.‌“I had pulsatile tinnitus in one of my ears for three years,” said Paige. “I thought it was maybe stress related