Alexandria, VA -- In a news conference held October 11 at the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, otolaryngologists Drs. Antonio De la Cruz and Jennifer Derebery discussed the diagnosis and treatment for the hearing loss incurred by their patient, nationally renowned radio commentator Rush Limbaugh.
Dr. De la Cruz told assembled reporters, 'It is our diagnosis that Mr. Limbaugh suffers from autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), a disease that may include sudden hearing loss. We are currently treating Mr. Limbaugh with medication here at the House Ear Clinic, and there is potential for surgical treatment as well. We are confident that we can retain and improve some of Mr. Limbaugh's hearing.'
Dr. Derebery added, 'Symptoms of this disease may include fluctuating hearing, dizziness, ear fullness, rapidly progressive Meniere's disease or sudden hearing loss... it is like arthritis of the inner ear.' The American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery applauds Mr. Limbaugh for authorizing his personal physicians to discuss the diagnoses and treatment administered for his hearing loss.
Autoimmune inner ear disease is a form of progressive, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss of an unknown cause that occurs over weeks to months and affects hearing in both ears and balance. AIED is rare, causing less than one percent of all cases of hearing impairment or dizziness (for more information, about AIED click here).
Otolaryngologists are dedicated to finding a successful treatment for AIED. To that end, the Academy's Foundation, in cooperation with the NIH-sponsored Otolaryngology Clinical Trials Cooperative Group (OCTCG), has undertaken a prospective clinical study to measure the benefits and risks of treating AIED with two different immunosuppressive drugs: prednisone and methotrexate.
It is important to note that at the Los Angeles news conference, Dr. Michael Weisman, Director of Rheumatology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, joined Drs. De la Cruz and Derebery to explain the possible causes for AIED. This joint appearance of the three specialists aptly illustrates that treating hearing disorders often requires the cooperative effort of a Hearing Healthcare Team, consisting of otolaryngologists, medical specialists and allied health care providers.
Mr. Limbaugh has demonstrated a generosity of spirit in allowing an open discussion of his hearing loss. The dialogue is a significant contribution to patient education regarding AIED; it is an important public service.
Reposted with permission of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inc.
