RUSH LIMBAUGH’S HEARING LOSS A RESULT OF AUTO-IMMUNE INNER EAR DISEASE

www.drudge report. ^ | OCT 10, 2001 | DRUDGE

[concerned about politics]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED OCT 10, 2001 19:10:27 ET XXXXX

RUSH LIMBAUGH’S HEARING LOSS A RESULT OF AUTO-IMMUNE INNER EAR DISEASE

Physicians consulting Rush Limbaugh are now confident the Radio King will be able to retain some of his hearing, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

Limbaugh's hearing loss is result of auto-immune inner ear disease.

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A press conference has been called for tomorrow morning [Thursday] at 8 am PT in Los Angeles featuring physicians treating Limbaugh.

Limbaugh’s rapid-onset hearing loss is being treated by ear specialists Antonio De La Cruz, M.D., and Jennifer Derebery, M.D. at the House Ear Clinic and Institute in Los Angeles.

Derebery and De La Cruz are currently treating Limbaugh with medication, and there is some potential for surgical treatment as well. They are confident that with the proper treatment, Limbaugh will be able to retain some of his hearing.

The duo are working together with Michael Weisman, M.D., Director, Division of Rheumatology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and Professor of Medicine at UCLA.

Symptoms of auto-immune inner ear disease (AIED) may include fluctuating hearing, dizziness, ear fullness, rapidly progressive Meniere’s disease or a sudden loss of hearing. AIED is rare, causing less than one percent of all cases of hearing loss or dizziness. Doctors believe it is caused by the body’s immune system attacking the inner ear and damaging the hearing nerve.

PREMIERE RADIO NETWORKS chief Kraig Kitchin will join Limbaugh's doctors during the press confererence to reveal new technology being used for Limbaugh's radio program.

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[concerned about politics]

Prayers helped, eh?

[Glenn]

Hearing AIDS?

[BunnySlippers]

I have severe hearing loss ... 100% in left ear and partly in the other. I live in L.A. and go to the House Ear Clinic as well. My doctor is John House. It is considered to be the premiere ear treatment center in the world ... a HUGE place. Rush is going to the best place.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

ROCK ON RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!

[BunnySlippers]

Hearing AIDS?

I think someone said it was nerve damage ... the same that I have. NOTHING can fix nerve damage even though I (and I'm sure Rush) would pay for hearing. Hearing aids do not work with nerve damage as there is not a functioning nerve to carry ANY sound ... it's just dead.

[unspun]

"Prayers helped, eh?"

Eh.

[imperator2]

To: wingnuts'nbolts

I hope he tried high dose prednisone and/or methotrexate for autoimmune hearing losses. The cochlear implants work well, but not sufficent for phone conversation.

276 Posted on 10/08/2001 13:10:18 PDT by imperator2 [ Reply | Private Reply | To 273 | Top | Last ]

[RightOnline]

How did you lose your hearing? My family constantly tells me I'm "going deaf". In truth, I'm a former pilot (flew KC-135's; VERY loud, not to mention the T-37, aka "Flying Dog Whistle") and a long-time rock guitarist (and yes, I play LOUD). I have ........how do you spell it? Tinnitus? Constant ringing of the ears; have had it for years. Annoying as hell, but you get used to it, and I really don't hear it unless I'm in a quiet room.

[Bush2000]

This is a publicity stunt. After a while, Rush will declare himself "cured". Wait and see.

[VOA]

I live in L.A. and go to the House Ear Clinic as well. My doctor is John House. I
t is considered to be the premiere ear treatment center in the world ... a HUGE place.
Rush is going to the best place.

I survived a bout with Meniere's Syndrome (inner-ear problem)...was almost sent
House Ear Clinic.
Its reputation is unmatched in this area of medicine.
Hope they can get Mr. Limbaugh back up into fighting form.
I think I saw that they do have "benefit" affairs, one of the last sponsored by William Shatner.
Not to sound mercenary, but I bet the House Ear Clinic wouldn't mind having Mr. Limbaugh
headlining their next gala event and mentioning them on his nation-(world?-)wide show.

[aruanan]

No, Glenn is trying to make a funny with AIDS and the reference to auto-immune disorder. Of course, AIDS isn't an auto-immune disorder.

[Benrand]

That Wild Turkey is good sh*t, isn't it...

[jbstrick]

This is a publicity stunt. After a while, Rush will declare himself "cured". Wait and see.

by Bush2000

Oh the clarivoyant one rears his head. Why would the most popular radio show host need to pull a stunt like this? I bet you think Art Bell staged the kidnap and rape of his child too.

[WRhine]

I think someone said it was nerve damage ... the same that I have. NOTHING can fix nerve damage even though I (and I'm sure Rush) would pay for hearing. Hearing aids do not work with nerve damage as there is not a functioning nerve to carry ANY sound ... it's just dead.

As a guitarist that likes loud music I can testify to the effects of nerve damage to the ears. Sometimes I get a ringing sensation in one of my ears that impairs my ability to hear for a few minutes. Oddly this often happens when there is very little sound. I have been a lot more careful in recent years about noise levels but I can see how this condition can take on a life of its own.

[woofie]

I too have nerve deafness and a wife who yells at me for not wearing my $5000. hearing aids ...I do better without them(well I think so)

[murdoog]

I bet you think Art Bell staged the kidnap and rape of his child too. This is the first I've heard of this. Any sources?

[truthandlife]

Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

What is Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease?
Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) is a poorly understood syndrome of potentially reversible progressive sensorineural hearing loss with or without dizziness. The classic clinical presentation of this disease is with bilateral fluctuating progressive sensorineural hearing loss occurring over several months. Tinnitus (noises in the ear) and aural fullness, "pressure", may also occur as well as dizziness or vertigo.

It is felt that this clinical syndrome of potentially reversible sensorineural hearing loss is caused by autoimmune dysfunction. Autoimmune diseases are set off when an out of control immune system causes the body to attack its own tissues by failing to distinguish the body's own cells from invaders such as bacteria or viruses or cells from other organisms. Autoimmune disease forms a large family of disorders which according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases strike an estimated fourteen to fifty million Americans. AIED can also be seen in people with other autoimmune diseases. New research has pointed out that many people with one autoimmune disease can have more than one type of autoimmune disease.

How often does AIED occur?
AIED is uncommon, probably accounting for less than one percent of all cases of sensorineural hearing loss or dizziness. The exact incidence is unknown partially because this disease is in the process of being defined and identified. It is felt that a significant percentage of patients with Meniere's Disease, especially those with bilateral symptoms, may be due to autoimmune inner ear dysfunction.

How is the diagnosis of AIED made?
Your physician can make the diagnosis based upon your history, physical examination findings, blood tests and results of hearing and vestibular test. A fairly specific test, Western Blot immunoassay for Heat Shock Protein-70 antibodies correlates with active disease and potential steroid responsiveness in patients with bilateral rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss. However this laboratory test does not demonstrate correlation in all cases. Therefore a therapeutic trial of medication should be undertaken as directed by your physician for this potentially reversible sensorineural hearing loss.

Is there any way we can find out more about AIED and why is this important?
Physician scientists are actively investigating the cause and treatment of AIED. Because of its unique potential reversibility, intensive study of this sensorineural hearing loss may provide leads for understanding other forms of sensorineural hearing loss.

There is a multicenter clinical trial funded by the National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD) to study the cause of AIED and to evaluate a response to Prednisone and an alternative drug, Methotrexate. These drugs have a long track record for treatment of other autoimmune diseases. Since the number of patients with AIED are few, it is imperative that this scarce population and its treatment be thoroughly investigated in centers involved with the clinical trial.

If you would like more information about AIED or the AIED clinical trail please contact Kathy O'Connor, RN by phone at 212-263-2411 or by email at koconnor@brany.com.

Paul E. Hammerschlag, MD, FACS
Department of Otolaryngology
New York University School of Medicine
550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016

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[OldFriend]

You sure have our site pest pegged perfectly....no doubt he wishes Rush would lose his voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BunnySlippers]

How did you lose your hearing? My family constantly tells me I'm "going deaf".

They don't know except that it was from a very very early age. I was exposed to a very extreme blast of sound at an early age OR was born with nerve damage.

In kindergarten (I'm a "baby-boomer") ... in the 50's I went to lip reading classes and use lip reading now. I cannot make out lyrics to music but can make out "talk radio". Otherwise I live a normal life and work as an institutional equities trader on a trading desk ... in fact I run the desk. I have never thought of myself as "handicapped".

Tinntinitus (sp) is different. I'm not sure I could handle constant ringing in my ears.

I wish Rush the best. If he can be cured ... it will be at the House Ear Clinic.