[kidd]

You missed an important one:

Rush Limbaugh - deaf, later in life, due to a genetic defect

Perhaps this "bio-ethecist" is taking a swipe at Rush? Probably not.

However, Rush has demonstrated that his problem is correctable. And America is much better off as a result of this otherwise deaf man.

[aruanan]

Rush Limbaugh - deaf, later in life, due to a genetic defect

At first it was thought to be genetic. It was later determined to be an autoimmune disorder. My nephew and niece, though, have genetic deafness.