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Charles I "Chuck" Berlin
Charles I "Chuck" Berlin
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Charles Berlin Obituary
Chuck graduated from Tilden High School. His academic journey was intertwined with his love for music, particularly jazz. He studied at Juilliard with a goal of being a professional pianist. In 1952 he suffered a bout of polio which shifted his professional focus from music to audiology, leading him to earn a doctoral degree and post-doctoral fellowship in Audiology and Speech Pathology.
From 1958 to 1961, Chuck honorably served in the Army, an experience that broadened his perspective and discipline, and allowed him to continue his Hearing Research and run the Army's Speech and Hearing Clinic. In 1967, he moved to New Orleans to establish the Kresge Hearing Research Laboratory at LSU, the University's first independently funded laboratory.
His work at Kresge Lab was groundbreaking, contributing to the discovery of new, unique forms of hearing loss: residual high-frequency hearing and Auditory Neuropathy/Dys-Synchrony, along with research supporting the efficacy of cochlear implants. The Lab's work on aiding high-frequency hearing loss led to the creation of Kam's Fund , a private fundraising arm set up by a grateful patient and her family allowing discretionary funds to be directed towards more ground-breaking research.
Chuck served as a consultant to the FDA leading to the approval of cochlear implants. He was part of a team that was instrumental in discovering genetic characteristics of hearing loss in the Ashkenazi Jewish community. His Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) courses significantly impacted early detection of hearing loss and the practice of audiology, drawing audiologists from around the world. In true New Orleans fashion each of his courses ended with a Jazz concert featuring Chuck at the keyboard.
Chuck won many awards and accolades including but not limited to: the 1994 Presidential Citation from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, The Frank J. Kleffner Award for lifetime clinical achievement from the American Speech-Language Hearing Foundation, and the James F. Jerger Lifetime Career Research Award, American Academy of Audiology, He finished his career at LSU as the Kenneth and Frances Barnes Bullington Professor in Hearing Science, and after retirement received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Academy of Audiology. His love of music and science led him to establish a Musician's Clinic in New Orleans to help preserve musician's hearing, allowing them to enjoy their craft while protecting themselves. He helped develop the technology to protect hearing that many musicians use today.
Aside from his professional achievements, Chuck was an avid tennis player and enjoyed evening jam sessions with many notable New Orleans musicians. His life was a blend of science, music, family, and sports, each enriching his days with joy and fulfillment. While he moved to Florida as a result of Hurricane Katrina, his heart never left his beloved New Orleans.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 66 years, Harriet; children, Richard (Mika), Patti (Josh), Amy (Fred), and Jennifer (Michael). His grandchildren, Matt, Alex, Julia, Aidan, Grace, Ian, Abby, Matthew, Avery, Owen, and Reece; as well as his sister, Carole. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Sol.
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Allen Ryan
July 25, 2025
Many times I listened to Chuck play the piano on late evenings after conferences at the ARO or AAO. He was such an accomplished musician and scientist, but also a leader in the field. Most of all, he was a good friend.
Mary Shaddox
December 31, 2024
Dr. Berlin saw my son back in 2001 and confirmed his diagnosis of auditory neuropathy. His letter to our audiologist recommending a cochlear implant allowed my son to get implanted. He was a deeply caring person and patient oriented. He called me on a Saturday morning after I found the website on auditory neuropathy and called and left a message on the previous day. He was one of a kind.
Elaine Blackford
December 30, 2024
I just found out that Chuck passed. He saw my son in 1995 are Kresge because our audiologist (a former student) didn't understand the results of his testing. He was diagnosed with what was called Auditory Neuropathy. We worked together thru the auditory neuropathy parents group he encouraged me to create to educate parents and professional for several years.
He changed mine and my son's life for the best. We were very close for years. I love and miss you Chuck B. One of a kind.
Kim Wuellner
December 27, 2024
I cannot imagine where this world would be without Dr. Berlin. How many people would not know what it is like to hear sound, words or appreciate music? My 23 year-old son was denied cochlear implants because he had Auditory Neuropathy, but due to Dr. Berlin´s phone calls, education, encouragement, information about Cued Speech and conferences on Auditory Neuropathy, I was able to educate those who needed it and to advocate for my son who is bilaterally implanted - since age 3 - and functions in a hearing and speaking world. It´s unbelievable that Dr. Berlin was as talented as he was and able to do so much in one life. The big take away is that he used it to help others. He was so good to us. My most sincere sympathies to his family in his loss.
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Jim H.
December 15, 2024
Chuck had a deep and personal impact in the life of my wife, our family, and our hearing-challenged daughter.
J Lindhe Guarisco MD
November 18, 2024
One of the greatest teachers I have ever had!! J Lindhe Guarisco MD Ochsner Peds Otolaryngology.
Barbara Chertok
October 21, 2024
Dr. Berlin was a friend and colleague. I interviewed him for The Voice magazine in Jan/Feb 1991. The editor later sent me a note: "Ensoniq ordered 1000 reprints to be sent to professional offices." I'm in Sarasota, Florida and we did get together a couple of times since he was in Tampa an hour away.
Barbara Chertok
Cecille Ventry
October 11, 2024
This is for Harriet- Please contact me by e-mail. I would like to send you some pictures that we took in New Orleans - and would love to catch up as well.
Sending love and thinking about you and Chuck - many lovely memories.
Cecille Ventry
October 10, 2024
So sad to hear this news. I knew Chuck and Harriet as a young married couple when we lived in San Francisco in the 50´s and 60´s. My husband and Chuck worked together and we also were friends outside of work. The last time I saw them was in New Orleans years ago and it was as if no time had passed- they were so warm and kind. We met in a jazz club and caught up on the intervening years. My love and condolences to Harriet and her family.
Cecille Ventry
David Packer
October 3, 2024
Thirty nine years ago I was a post-doc at Kresge in New Orleans. The late Douglas Webster was my sponsor, but Chuck's generosity both personal and professional is what made the greatest impression on me and remained a lasting influence on my life. He was a distinguished scientist and clinician whose world was so much bigger. My heartfelt condolences to Harriet and the family.
Diane Rincones Hess
September 13, 2024
I knew Chuck and his wife Harriet at Chautauqua New York. CHQ.org. I played tennis with him on the grounds and also went to some of the concerts that he would do in and around the area. He left a lasting impression of those of us who got to know him and hear his music. Prayers for Harriet and his family. Diane Hess
Michael S. Ellis, MD, FACS
September 7, 2024
What a sad loss for Chuck´s family and all of us fortunate enough to have known, benefitted and learned from him. I was fortunate enough during my residency to spend a year of auditory physiology research with Chuck at the Kresge Lab. During that time, he and his team discovered a deaf patient´s remaining high frequency hearing and had to develop a special hearing aid to address rare condition, and provide workable hearing for her.
Not only was he an amazing teacher and friend, but also played piano for our wedding. We shared travel and other adventures, and wonderful experiences both with him and Harriet.
So many memories.
He was a brilliant entertainer\teacher employing magic and special auditory techniques. We loved his demonstration of the effects of hearing on speech by having someone wearing earphones and reading into a microphone - first increasing their voice into their earphones and all noticing how their voice would lower - then lowering the volume with resultant increase in their speaking volume. He would then feedback their voice several seconds delayed, and see them begin stuttering.
Tippi and I send our deepest condolences to Harriet and all his family.
Michael S. Ellis, MD, FACS
Brad Ingrao
September 5, 2024
Since the beginning of Deaf education, we parents have been told what our kids won't be able to do.
Then there was Chuck Berlin.
Ashley Carswell, LSUHSC New Orleans, MOT c/o 2026
September 5, 2024
I'm currently a graduate student at LSUHSC New Orleans. While I didn't have the pleasure of learning from Dr. Berlin I was moved by the kind words shared about his life and work. His family can be proud of the legacy he left in them. May you find strength in each other and never forget he lives on through you all.
J Philip Boudreaux
September 5, 2024
He was a great mentor and teacher, and I enjoyed playing music with him. He was a fantastic pianist.
J Philp Boudreaux MD FACS, Professor of Surgery LSUHSC
Kathryn B
August 29, 2024
When I first met him in the late 90s I told him he looked like Kirk Douglass and he laughed and hugged me and said I made his day. Such an interesting man with diverse interests... the most interesting man in the room, before it was a meme...
DONALD MACASKILL
August 27, 2024
DONALD MACASKILL
August 27, 2024
DONALD MACASKILL
August 27, 2024
DONALD MACASKILL
August 27, 2024
DONALD MACASKILL
August 27, 2024
DONALD MACASKILL
August 27, 2024
Uncle Chuck was a constant reference in my Masters dissertation in Manchester and I was lucky to have him as my professor when studying for my Au.D. I was even luckier when he agreed to come to Scotland and teach at one of our study days as part of our Forth Valley Audiology education program. He and his wife spent some time with myself and my family exploring the Falkirk Wheel and drinking a small dram of 'The Famous Chuck Berlin Scotch Whisky'. Thanks for these memories Chuck.
Fred Daner
August 26, 2024
Michelle Lanier Powell
August 25, 2024
I loved Chuck. He was an awesome boss and helped me to become involved with the original cochlear implant project in New Orleans. He was brilliant, fun, talented, and larger than life. When I think of how many lives he had a positive impact on, I am in awe. My prayers go out to Harriet and the rest of his family. I'm sending angels to comfort them.
Sol Marghzar
August 24, 2024
I was a student of Dr. Berlin in 1998 at nova Southeastern University. He went through more than 200 of slides during the first class without missing a beat. Most of us in the class were astonished when we found out that he had an open heart surgery less than six months prior to that first class. When he found out that I was into music, he started talking about jazz chords. at the end of the semester he told me that do you know why I will not ever forget your to which I responded "because we share music"? He responded "no because you have my father`s name". I will never forget him because of his character, charm, and depth in any topic he became interested in. He´s was one of the top three audiologist who shaped my career and outlook about life. May he rest in peace.
Daniel Bode
August 23, 2024
After moving to New Orleans and starting my private practice I met Chuck through a patient. He was concerned that the device I chose for the young man ( an ITE ) would not work as well as his ( BTE) . We soon began a long friendship and was honored by his fellow audiologists at the first Louisiana Academy of Audiology meeting. He leaves a big set of shoes to fill.
Nicolas Bazan
August 23, 2024
I am deeply saddened by the news of Dr. Chuck Berlin's passing. He was a true academic icon in our institution. We worked together in the early 80s to seek support from the Lions Club of Louisiana to construct a new building. We held a telethon on Saturday mornings for many years where Dr. Berlin, with his presence, personality, and exceptional piano skills, entertained and successfully raised funds for the construction of the now Lions Building. He and I used to extensively talk about the beneficial effects of music on cognitive impairments. I had in those days, as I actively continue now, a project on dementia, in addition to my work on the retina. Latter I wrote a book and co-wrote the screen play of a film ( "Of mind and music"). Dr Berlin, in addition, was the head of the Kresge Hearing Research Laboratory at LSU, where he led an outstanding team that conducted innovative research and educational activities. He was a talented, generous, and vibrant personality who will be deeply missed.
Nicolas Bazan
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Boyd Professor
Ernest C. and Yvette C. Villere Chair for Retinal Degenerations
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ophthalmology, and Neurology
Director, Neuroscience Center of Excellence
LSU Health New Orleans-School of Medicine
Marker 2020 Gravier Street, Suite D, New Orleans, LA 70112 +1504-599-0831
[email protected]
George Cire
August 23, 2024
I had the immense privilege of being a student of Dr. Berlin at LSUHSC during my masters program. In addition to be a great researcher that lended so much to the body of wisdom in the field of hearing science, Chuck was an amazing and talented teacher and mentor. I have so many fine memories of working and studying with him. As busy as he was teaching, grant writing and publishing, he always had time for the students. He would meet with us over lunch on a weekly basis and I will be forever grateful for his wisdom and generosity. I wish to send heartfelt condolence to the family and may you rest in peace Dr. Berlin
Patricia Shearer
August 23, 2024
I am a pediatric oncologist and audiologist who worked with Chuck at Kresge. He gave me filtered speech recordings of his reading of the "rainbow passage" that I still use to demonstrate hearing loss from platinum compounds and radiation.
Chuck was everyone´s mentor. His gift of making auditory physiology practical was unparalleled.
Patricia Shearer, MD, MS, FAAP
Andrew Vermiglio
August 22, 2024
I was an audiology student when I met Chuck Berlin at my first American Academy of Audiology conference. I told him that I heard he played piano. He said yes and asked if I played. I said no, I'm a drummer. He said, "Hey, we're having a jam session tonight. Why don't you sit in with us?" That started our friendship. We played a number of times at the AAA meetings. He was always excited to play! And it was always a highlight to hang out with Chuck. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Douglas Cotanche
August 22, 2024
I first met Chuck when I was a graduate student at ARO. I ended up being the person who set up the poster boards at ARO for many years and Chuck referred to me as the ARO Poster Boy. He was a very influential mentor in my life and I appreciated his advice and support. In 2010 he tried to recruit me to an endowed chair position at LSU but because I lost my NIH grant that never panned out. But he will always be a major positive force in my life and career. I will miss you Chuck!
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