Airplane Cures: A Historical Perspective on Treating Deafness and Speech Impairments
The Origins of Aviation Therapy
In the early 1900s, aviation was still a novel technology, and its potential for medical applications was just beginning to be explored. One of the most unusual and controversial treatments to emerge during this time was the use of airplane flights to cure deafness and speech impairments.
The “Airplane Cure” for Deafness
The idea that airplane flights could cure deafness originated in the early 1920s, when doctors began prescribing them as a treatment for hysteria. The theory was that the sudden changes in altitude and the intense aerial acrobatics would shock the patient out of their psychological symptoms, including hearing loss.
One of the most famous cases of an airplane cure was that of Henry A. Renz, Jr., a 22-year-old veteran who had lost his voice after a war injury. After a single airplane ride involving nosedives and loop-the-loops, Renz reportedly regained his speech.
The Deaf Flight Fad
Renz’s recovery made headlines across the country, and soon, other patients with speech and hearing impairments were flocking to aviation therapy. The practice became known as “deaf flights,” and it quickly became a fad in both the U.S. and England.
Some patients reported significant improvements in their hearing after deaf flights, while others experienced no benefits. The efficacy of the treatment was never scientifically proven, but that didn’t stop doctors and stunt pilots from offering it to desperate patients.
The Risks of Aviation Therapy
While some deaf flights resulted in miraculous recoveries, others ended in tragedy. In April 1928, a professional pianist was killed in a plane crash while attempting to cure his hearing loss. Four months later, a six-year-old deaf boy and his pilot were killed in a similar accident.
As the risks of aviation therapy became more apparent, the medical community began to debunk its claims. The Journal of the American Medical Association called it “usually futile and often fatal,” while the Deaf-Mutes’ Journal criticized parents for putting their children in danger.
The Decline of Airplane Cures
By the late 1920s, the fad of deaf flights had begun to die out. The military, psychologists, and organizations for the deaf had all condemned the practice as having no scientific basis. Additionally, many stunt pilots had found other, safer ways to make a living, such as carrying airmail for the U.S. Post Office Department.
The Legacy of Aviation Therapy
Despite its questionable efficacy and tragic consequences, aviation therapy played a unique role in the history of aviation and medicine. It demonstrated the willingness of doctors and patients to explore unconventional treatments, and it highlighted the importance of scientific validation in medical practice.
Today, aviation therapy is no longer used to treat hearing or speech impairments. However, the search for new and innovative treatments for these conditions continues, and the legacy of aviation therapy serves as a reminder of the power of human ingenuity and the importance of evidence-based medicine.
Additional Insights
- The use of aerial acrobatics to induce a psychological cure was a novel and controversial approach in the early 20th century.
- The efficacy of airplane cures was never scientifically proven, and the results varied widely from patient to patient.
- The risks of aviation therapy, including plane crashes and fatalities, were significant and raised ethical concerns.
- The decline of deaf flights was due to a combination of scientific skepticism, the availability of safer alternatives, and the realization of the risks involved.
- The legacy of aviation therapy lies in its demonstration of the willingness to explore unconventional treatments and the importance of evidence-based medicine.
