The following patients have been kind enough to share their experiences of stapedotomy at Michigan Ear Institute. Like nearly everyone, these patients were anxious before surgery. They wished that they could hear of other patient’s stories. We are grateful for their time and compassion. Many other MEI patients have also volunteered to speak with others by phone - their numbers are available upon request.

Suzan Rasmussen's Story
[ October 2003 ]

Can you hear the birds singing? I couldn’t. Can you hear what is being said at parties and business meetings? After 20 years of being profoundly deaf, I can hear. Thanks to the skilled hands of Dr. Kartush, and a surgical procedure known as a stapedectomy. Since meeting Dr. Kartush and the MEI staff in January 2003, my life has changed dramatically ­ I CAN HEAR.

After testing Dr. Kartush recommended I have bilateral stapedectomies. Of course I was very anxious about the surgery, and fearful of the unknown. On March 19, 2003 I checked into Providence Hospital for my surgery. Dr. Kartush and the hospital staff were wonderful about putting all of my fears to rest. The surgery itself was completely pain free, and my postoperative discomfort was minimal, and now I can hear. Thank you Dr. Kartush.

Suzan Rasmussen

Nancy Meek-Klem's Story
[ March 2002 ]

When God needed a place to put love he found a home in the heart of Jack Kartush. Dr. Kartush's love and compassion for all his patients improves the quality of life for us and our family members. My binaural conductive hearing loss was corrected in two separate surgeries and I can hear very well without either of my hearing aids. The first step of my hearing recovery began with surgery one year earlier which Dr. Kartush performed for chronic ear. Because I had a "cranky" ear that threw us a lot of curves the thought of the first stapedectomy which could follow the complete healing of that ear created such nervousness in me that I thought about canceling and being content with hearing aids. The results of the first stapedectomy were so outstanding and recovery so quick that I readily scheduled the second stapedectomy to the other ear for three months later. I face each day with gratitude and great hearing thanks to Dr. Kartush.

Nancy Meek-Klem