Posted on 01/18/2002 10:19:38 AM PST by Moosejaw
2nd Add: Includes disease background.
(CNSNews.com) - Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who suffered a virtually total loss of hearing last year, has had much of his hearing restored, according to his brother.
World Net Daily columnist David Limbaugh Thursday said a special hearing implant was activated that day and that he had a telephone conversation with the broadcaster.
"About a month ago, he had a surgery which went very well, but we didn't know whether it was going to work," said the younger Limbaugh. "I got this call (today) on my cell phone and I picked it up and started listening and he said 'David? David?' I knew it was Rush, but I paused because I never expected him to call."
"I started talking to him and he could actually hear me," said David. "We carried on a conversation. I was just stupefied by it. It was amazing. He could actually hear me."
David Limbaugh made the announcement in Washington, D.C. Thursday night while attending the Media Research Center annual "Dishonors Awards" for bias in broadcast news.
The syndicated broadcaster announced October 8 that he had lost his hearing, and that he had known of the hearing loss since May 29, when doctors told him he was deaf in his left ear.
Doctors tried an unsuccessful drug therapy in an attempt to restore the talk show host's hearing, and a cochlear implant was eventually installed. The device is designed to send signals around the damaged part of the ear and deliver electrical impulses to the brain, restoring hearing.
No medical prognosis of Rush Limbaugh's condition was available Thursday evening, but David Limbaugh said his brother's wife estimated that "he could hear about 80 percent already. That's not formal or official, but just her estimation," said David.
"Two cell phones - you know how hard it is to hear - and yet, we conducted a conversation," said David. "That's great news and we thank God for it."
Despite the hearing loss, the broadcaster continued hosting his weekday talk show, which is heard on some 600 radio stations nationwide, the exception being periodic absences for treatment of his ailment.
Rush suffers from autoimmune inner-ear disease, which doctors say affects about 20,000 of the estimated 30 million Americans who suffer considerable loss of hearing.
He was able to continue his on-air work by having listener calls transcribed, and said he was able to detect caller pauses by watching the VU meter indicators in his studio.
WHAT DID YOU SAY? "RHUMBA BEARINGS ARE SCORED?"
Damn batteries in my hearing aid are going again
We LOVE O'Reilly!!! We don't agree with him on EVERYTHING.. but probably 99 and 9/10th of the time!
FRegards friend.. Mary Ann
My daughter was totally taken with him at one point; asked for his book, etc. Now, she's totally disillusioned and never watches him. He can be entertaining, but he doesn't have the depth of a Rush.
I am amazed at anyone who would denigrate this marvelous medical advance. Yeah, it doesn't work if you turn it off. Well, duh.
I am also amazed at some in the deaf community who don't want their children to have implants, or even to lip-read. They worship the so-called "deaf culture" and sign language. Sign language is great if that's all you have, but to deny your kid the ability to actually hear is sick!!
I'm thrilled about Rush, and he will do a lot of the science of cochlear implants just by talking about it and by the success he has apparently had.
I must have missed that. Did someone actually denigrate it? If so,.. why? I mean, this is just awesome news! I'm with you 100percent. Any parent who would deny a child "hearing" or any kind of health.. but especially one that results in one of the major senses.. well, that is criminal. But especially so, if they do so to remain part of a "culture". That is the sickest thing I've ever heard.
I agree,.. that Rush is on a different level than O'Reilly. But I think O'Reilly has done some really important things. Things that he could accomplish through his media/tv, better than Rush could have through his/radio. Like the Funds thing,. and Jesse Jackson.
I'm ever watchful. I'm also against anyone being so partisan like the Democrats were, so as to support a crook, a prejure, a person guilty of Treason IMHO. So if O'Reilly or Rush or anyone ever unearths something about a Republican or an Independent,.. I will be "willing" to listen to the information they have. To do otherwise would be hypocritical of all I said during Clintons tenure.
I'm with you, in that I'm so thankful that Rush's operation was successful. This is just such great news.. for so many people. :o)
Have you read his books? There is a few things I disagree with him on. Plus, I cannot trust anyone that so adamantly denies being a conservative.
I wouldn't know. I can't stand to watch him, but the local sports programs I listen to say he's getting worse, not better. They say he's trying to become a "yes" man for anyone influential in the game he's met. Afraid to say anything to challenge anything or anyone. In short, not funny.
On an earlier thread (several weeks ago) someone posted some links about this. Hopefully someone has them and will repost them for you. I was stunned, too.
CANDI
It was part of the reason for my comment. Also, there is a freeper who posts here who has a cochlear implant and hears very well; even music. He mentioned the prejudice in the deaf community (well, some of the deaf community) about this advance.
Yes, it is very hard to understand.
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