David Haugh: Bears' Brian McCaskey on hearing loss: 'Technology has really saved me'

Brian McCaskey couldn't watch, and it had nothing to do with the Bears losing 31-3 to the Giants in an NFC divisional playoff game.

McCaskey never made it out of his New York hotel room that Jan. 13, 1991, a sudden attack of vertigo rendering him dizzy, disoriented and helpless. Doctors eventually diagnosed McCaskey, the second-youngest son of Ed and Virginia McCaskey, with Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder that includes ringing sounds and hearing loss. The bouts limiting the function of McCaskey's right ear continued sporadically as visiting emergency rooms and trying different medications became a regular part of life.

"With each attack