The Golden Voice isn't anymore

[Power Wagon]

Rush Limbaugh revealed today on his radio show that he has lost his hearing. He is DEAF.



Of all the things for someone to lose in his business, hearing is almost as valuable as speaking or seeing. I'm quite sure he'll keep his show for a while, but for most intents and purposes, unless some miracle happens... the golden voice of the most successful radio show on earth will retire.



That's truly sad. Whether you agree or disagree with his politics, it is undeniable that Rush changed the landscape of radio in our time.



In all probabilty, he'll continue with his show, using either voice recognition and command software or someone to transcribe to text in real time. However, I don't think that's going to be long-term.



Who can fill those shoes?

 

[Doc Tinker]

Now we know why he's so loud. Can't hear himself talk.



Doc

 

[Ramboy]

I picked him up today while traveling and took me awhile to realize who it was. His voice sounded really strange.

 

[QRTRHRS]

It's been so long since I listened to Rush, I don't really remember his format. Does he just comment or is there crosstalk going on?



Regardless, going deaf does not mean his career is finished. Professional help is available to teach him how to control how loudly he speaks and how to articulate his words.

 

[Power Wagon]

It's a talk show. How do you carry on a conversation with callers if you can't hear them?



Either they have to work out a way to convert caller's speech to text for him to read, or else he has to do a 3 hour monologue.



Rush hasn't lost his voice, he still sounds just fine (other than I've noticed a little digital distortion at times). But how do you converse on an audio medium when you can't hear?



That's really going to be interesting...

 

[paccool]

He must have gotten tired of listening to him too!



Stan

 

[MUDDY]

we should pray for the recovery of his hearing, as it would be awful to loose the great knowledge and common sense he has shared with us throughout the years.



if his hearing is not restored, interaction with callers would be difficult, to say the least, but at least he would still be able to do us a great service with a 3 hr monologue, as the man never has a problem with communicating about the things that effect our daily lives. the man is wise and has talant, and wont let this inconvience get him down.



the golden voice of the EIB microphone, from the attila the hun chair, will continue to educate.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Mark,



Okay, I see the situation. There are real time closed caption products available with large displays. If anyone is positioned to know what is available, Rush would be.

 

[Bigsaint]

I used to listen to Rush all the time, but tired of the same old same old during the Clinton era. Remember the timber updates (chain saw blazing in the background)and the feminazi updates(we're fierce,feminist and in your face), good stuff IMHO. He also had a TV show, which aired for a while and was quite good as well. If anyone can overcome this, it will be Rush.



Scott W.

 

[Chad Sheets]

Change of voice. Noticed the exact same thing after I ran onto his station on AM a few weeks ago. I have a very close loved one who is deaf and I have witnessed fist hand how the voice thing changes as the hearing goes away. Thats why people who are deaf from birth have a hard time with the verbal end of it. Once you get back to hearing again through hearing devices or surgery, the voice slowly transforms back.

 

[Fireman]

Rush will find a way

Like BigSaint I believe that if anyone could overcome this Rush will.



Fireman

 

[Sled Puller]

Does anyone know of anyone that lost all of their hearing in 3 months? Without an accident?



Weird.

Gene

 

[Big White Beast]

I have a friend who is almost deaf.

His family has a history of it. They have devices for their phones that translate almost immediately. So I'm sure someone like Rush could get the latest equipment. He did tell me that if you have hearing problems that it degrades quickly. Said his mom woke up one morning and was totally deaf (Hard of hearing prior). When the hearing goes it happens quickly.



I suffered some hearing loss in the Navy. I did a lot of radio talking with head sets on. It was near impossible to adjust the volume beacause the aircraft radio signals would change depending on location and atmospherics. That was only 4 years worth so I'm sure Rush has punished himself more than I.



Just my 02¢



Garrett

 

[Briar Hopper]

It ain't the end of the world. Rather lose my hearing than a leg or my eyesight. Rush will get by, alright. I hope he's tough enough to face up to it fast, and get a little help and technology(yes, it's out there, it's available) and keep on with his radio show. Us right-wingers can't afford to lose him !

 

[Archive]

I'm 80% deaf in my left ear and live with tinnitus. I realize now how lucky I am to have at least one good ear to listen to the world with. I think Rush will adapt to this setback and continue to entertain and inform. I like him and his program.

(BTW, when my wife is in a REAL talkative mood ... . I let her drive. )

 

[QRTRHRS]

IMHO, Rush will get by with his professional life with technology and adjustments. The hard part will be interacting on a day to day basis with society in general. He will have to learn to sign if he has not done so already to accomodate his family. Actually, having deafness in the family already is a plus in that there is an awarness. Often times, when someone is alone in their deafness, they end up isolated because other family members for whatever reason don't/won't/can't learn to sign.



My wife happens to be totally deaf in one ear and wears a hearing aid in the other. Born that way. She can't really hear words clearly though. It's hard to explain but the words sound like they would with no vowels. She can actually hear on the phone a little better but needs a 3 second pause between words and only for simple conversation. The experts wanted to institutionalize her but her stubborn mother, a teacher refused. At that time, sign was not used in our area because it signified that your were "deaf and dumb". Her mother taught her to talk and to read lips. Her lip reading ability is "deadly" if you get my drift. Her voice is flat but she does an excellent job of controlling it. She has adopted so well that people often forget she is deaf and expect more than they should.



Sorry to digress from Rush but most of us including myself abuse our hearing. I thought this info might be good to pass on.

 

[Archive]

QRTRHRS, you make an excellent point about protecting our hearing before it gets damaged. Thank you for the insight into your wife's life experiences with deafness. It's great to read about someone that has the willpower and determination to exceed everyone's expectations.

 

[merryman]

I'm betting Rush will do OK> Some of you probably heard his joke at his own situation yesterday. A caller was complaing about how frustrated he gets listening to some of the major media people. Rush said something to the effect that he was lucky in that he did not have to listen to them anymore.

From listening to him now, other than the different sound to his voice, you would not know he was not hearing the callers, so they have worked out some way for him to have instant translation.

I think he has contributed greatly to this country



Vaughn