[1Old Pro]

RUSH said he has been addicted for 5-6 years after spinal/back surgery.

I've pooh-poohed the stories that this medication can cause deafness. I am now willing to revisit, rethink and re-investigate.

[CollegeRepublican]

I am worried about the hearing loss issue here also. One would assume the connection now right, or at least the possibility.

[GraniteStateConservative]

And the point has been made that it's likely that the stigma and criminal punishment of drug abuse kept Rush from getting effective treatment. Bill Buckley has changed his mind on the WOD.

[MHGinTN]

The type of surgery he's had does use aminoglycazides liberally, to prevent infection ruining the work. Those (like gentimicin) are extremely toxic to the choclear structures. It ain't necessarily the painkillers ... plus, his doctors have said his family history (genetics) is connected to cochlear failure. [I still say those who chose to exploit this tragedy are in for the most backlash as the truth regarding the criminals dribbles to the surface to be ignored by 'Big Media'(like the maid and hubby, like the criminal pharmacist and his wife, like the lawgods feeding stuff to the DNC behind the scenes in conjunction with the Enquirer article).]

[BlueHorseShoe]

..."RUSH said he has been addicted for 5-6 years after spinal/back surgery. I've pooh-poohed the stories that this medication can cause deafness. I am now willing to revisit, rethink and re-investigate..."

I've pooh-poohed the entire thing unable to believe something like this could happen to him. Gosh, was I ever proven wrong - I mean even in private conversations with my hubby I flatly refused to even visit the notion Rush could have succumbed to this.

Boy, my heart goes out to him though. I don't think I know of a single person who hasn't gone through something serious and/or devasting at some point. We are all only human but I have to say I'm really completely shocked over this. I had turned the radio off the last hour so I didn't hear this. I would probably have been in tears for him. Prayers sent for Rush and his family because they have some tough times ahead.

[KriegerGeist]

"I've pooh-poohed the stories that this medication can cause deafness. I am now willing to revisit, rethink and re-investigate."

Here is what a medical website says about that:

"Doctors aren't yet entirely sure how Vicodin causes hearing loss. One theory is that the opiates damage the delicate hair cells inside the inner ear, which act like tiny microphones to transmit sound vibrations to the brain. The effect also may involve nerve endings in the ear called opioid receptors, which are sensitive to overstimulation."