Renowned Ear Specialist and Founder of House Ear Institute, Howard P. House M.D., Dies at Age 95

From: Yahoo News (press release) - Aug 1, 2003

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Howard Payne House, M.D., founder of the House Ear Institute (HEI) and pioneering ear specialist died peacefully at 8 a.m. today of heart failure at St. Vincent Medical Center. House established HEI in 1946 as a research facility dedicated to the advancement of hearing research and practiced otology at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles. During his 64-year medical career, House treated thousands of patients, including some of Hollywood's brightest stars including Howard Hughes, Bob and Dolores Hope, Nanette Fabray, Phyllis Diller, Florence Henderson and former President, Ronald Reagan. *(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030801/LAF035 )

"It is an overwhelming loss for many who found in him a mentor to guide them in their clinical and applied research," said James D. Boswell, Chief Executive Officer of the House Ear Institute. "By establishing an international ear research and education center, Howard provided thousands of ear specialists around the world with the opportunity to attend unique surgical courses and benefit from the Institute's research achievements."

"Dr. Howard House is an outstanding example of what has made America great," reads a tribute written by former President Ronald Reagan. "Our country is so full of wonderful men and women who, like him, through diligent effort and creative drive, have made a tremendous difference in our world and brought to pass amazing scientific discoveries that have helped countless people everywhere."

A graduate of University of Southern California Medical School, House perfected the wire loop technique to replace the stapes bone of the middle ear and developed procedures to reconstruct middle ear parts. Under his leadership, HEI was the first to adapt movie cameras and accessories for use with a surgical microscope to create professional, medical training films. In 1947 he was appointed Chairman of the Subcommittee on Noise and directed the national study on industrial noise that set the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hearing conservation standards in use today. House was Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at University of Southern California School of Medicine from 1952 to 1961 and served on the faculty as Clinical Professor of Otology.

During his lifetime, House was internationally recognized for his contributions to hearing science and received numerous honorary degrees and Lifetime Achievement Awards. He served as President of the most prestigious professional associations including the American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, the Asociacion Panamericana de Oto-Rino-Laringologia y Broncoesofagologia and the American Otological Society, Salerni Collegium USC and the Centurion Club of The Deafness Research Foundation. He was the recipient of USC's Outstanding Career Service Award, and named a "Physician of the Year" by both the President's Committee and California Governor's Committee for Employment of the Handicapped.

House is survived by his sons, Kenneth M. House, M.D., John W. House, M.D., and daughter Carolyn Helmuth; his brothers William F. House, M.D., (pioneer of neurotology and the cochlear implant) and James House, D.D.S., and nine grandchildren. A memorial service for House is planned, but no details are available at this time.

"My father's mission to advance hearing science through research and education lives on at the House Ear Institute," said John W. House, M.D. "Dad was proud that under his leadership, the Institute became internationally recognized as a center of excellence where researchers and physicians work together under one roof, investigating novel treatments for those with hearing loss and related disorders."

Memorials may be made to further the research and education that was Dr. House's life work and passion. If you would like to make a contribution, please send it to the Howard P. House, M.D., Endowment Fund at the House Ear Institute, Development Office, 2100 West Third Street, Fifth Floor, Los Angeles, California 90057-1922.

About the House Ear Institute

The House Ear Institute (HEI) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing hearing science through research and education to improve quality of life. Established in 1946 by Howard P. House, M.D., as the Los Angeles Foundation of Otology, and later renamed for its founder, the House Ear Institute has been engaged in the scientific exploration of the auditory system from the ear canal to the cortex of the brain for more than 55 years.

Our scientists continue to explore the developing ear and ear diseases at the cell and molecular level, as well as the complex ear-brain interaction. They are also working to improve hearing aids and auditory prostheses such as the cochlear implant and auditory brainstem implant (ABI), clinical treatments and intervention methods. For information on the House Ear Institute, please call (213) 483-4431 or visit the Website at www.hei.org .

Source: House Ear Institute (HEI)

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