Lexi Rains was successfully treated for an acoustic neuroma at UC San Diego Health, a referral center for these delicate surgeries.
At just 13, Lexi Rains found her world quietly shifting. It started with troubling symptoms — hearing loss, dizziness and tingling in her face.
A series of doctor visits led to a diagnosis her family never expected: a noncancerous tumor on the nerve that carries sound and balance signals to the brain.
The tumor, called an acoustic neuroma (also known as a vestibular schwannoma), is rare in adults, and even more uncommon in teens.
Lexi, a Missouri native, and her family were initially told by a local physician that surgery might result in permanent hearing loss. Searching for other options, they sought a second opinion at UC San Diego Health and found renewed hope.
Lexi’s care team included two experienced acoustic neuroma surgeons: Dr. Rick Friedman, a neurotologist, and Dr. Mark Schwartz, a neurosurgeon.
Together, they performed a middle fossa craniotomy, a precise procedure that involves carefully removing the tumor without damaging nearby brain or inner ear structures.
Rick A. Friedman, MD, PhD
- Neurotologist
- Vice Chair, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
- Director, Acoustic Neuroma Program
The outcome: Lexi's hearing was preserved. She didn’t need hearing implants.
That moment changed everything. The tumor was gone, and Lexi was back to school, sports, friends and the simple joy of everyday sounds.
Her experience highlights the importance of expert surgical care and the value of a second opinion, particularly for rare or complex conditions. It also highlights the importance of early detection.
Lexi’s story is a testament to how the right care, at the right time, can make all the difference.
Marc S. Schwartz, MD
- Neurosurgeon
- Co-director, Acoustic Neuroma Program
- Professor of Neurological Surgery
Shining a Light During Acoustic Neuroma Awareness Week
During Acoustic Neuroma Awareness Week, we share stories like Lexi’s to highlight the power of a second opinion — and the hope that expert care can bring.
