Surgery successful for radio celebrity

Surgery successfulfor radio celebrity
LOS ANGELES -- Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh's surgery to implant an electronic hearing device was a success, doctors say.
Limbaugh, 50, who lost his hearing in the spring because of an autoimmune inner-ear disease, should be able to hear sound again within the next few weeks, the doctors said Thursday.
The talk show host still faces several weeks of recovery for the incision to heal, said Dr. Antonio De La Cruz of the House Ear Clinic/House Ear Institute in Los Angeles.
Limbaugh underwent the two-hour procedure Wednesday at St. Vincent Medical Center, across the street from the institute.
"I feel great," Limbaugh said in a statement. "The surgery went smoothly, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the holidays and returning to the air in early January."
He is scheduled to return to the clinic in a few weeks to be fitted for an external unit for his implant.
Limbaugh's condition causes the body's immune system to launch unusual attacks on the inner ear, leading to inflammation of the area.
He has continued broadcasting since losing his hearing. His callers' comments are quickly transcribed so he can read and respond to them.
Weiland pleads guiltyto domestic battery
Troubled Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland pleaded guilty to domestic battery after fighting with his wife at Las Vegas' Hard Rock hotel.
The 38-year-old entered a guilty plea Wednesday, but will have his case dismissed if he has no more problems in the next six months and completes 26 counseling sessions.
A judge approved the plea bargain, which Weiland's attorney and Clark County Deputy District Attorney Abby Silver arranged in Las Vegas Justice Court.
"We didn't want to put his wife through testifying, and counseling doesn't hurt him," said Weiland's attorney, David Chesnoff.
Weiland was arrested Nov. 19 after fighting with his wife, Mary, in a hotel room. He posted $3,000 bail and was released after a mandatory 12-hour stay at the Clark County jail.
The singer, who has a history of drug addiction, argued with his wife over a prescription he was going to have filled.
The couple's 18-month-old son was in the room at the time, according to police reports.
Today's birthdays
Lady Bird Johnson is 89. Former House Speaker Jim Wright is 79. Actor Hector Elizondo is 65. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Steve Carlton is 57. ABC News correspondent Diane Sawyer is 56. Rock singer-musician Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) is 55. Baseball All-Star Steve Garvey is 53. Singer Robin Gibb is 52. Singer Maurice Gibb is 52. Golfer Jan Stephenson is 50. Rapper Luther Campbell is 41. Country musician Chuck Mead (BR549) is 41. Actor Ralph Fiennes is 39. Actress Lauralee Bell is 33. Actress Heather Donahue is 27.