In the summer of 2022, the sound in Elizabeth “Nikki” Lacobie’s left ear became muffled. When Nikki’s ears did not clear after antibiotic treatment, her doctors investigated further.

An MRI revealed that she had a rare, but benign brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma. Acoustic neuromas are usually located on the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for balance and motion and runs alongside the cochlear nerve responsible...