I know someone who has the cochlear implant that Rush referred to. She is able to teach classes and conduct normal conversations, and even talk on the phone (don't ask me how, she just can). The only awkwardness is that she has to be facing you to hear you. She is actually one of the better instructors in our group. If you're going to visit her, you have to call and tell her you're coming, because she won't hear the knock at the door; I think she has some kind of light mechnanism that informs her when the phone is ringing.
It's not at all time to push the panic button, but I am certainly praying for Rush, and for our country, that he is able to carry on.
One of my 6th grade students has an implant--she was born deaf but can hear and distinguish sounds with the help of a microphone which I wear when teaching--He'll be okay and he'll probably stay on the radio to boot!