Lefty 0 #1 December 2, 2005 Ok, so I'm watching this PBS show about deaf people. An interesting segment came up about some parents, both of whom are deaf, who had the opportunity to give their young daughter, who is also deaf, a cochlear (sp?) implant which would allow her to hear normally and live as a fully functional person. The daughter went to a school with many other children who had these implants, and she was amazed at how they were comunicating without sign language and expressed an interest in having the treatment done for herself. However, the parents decided not to get the treatment for her because they wanted her to be a part of "deaf culture". Now, this seems a little disturbing to me. Nothing against those with disablities, but the lack of any of the senses is an impairment. I would think that the parents would want the best for their child, which to me would include doing whatever it took to ensure that their child would have an life which isn't hindered by any sort of disability. I felt very sorry for the little girl. What do you all think?Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #2 December 2, 2005 That show has been on PBS for a number of years and has stirred a lot of raw emotions in the deaf world. I believe the show is called "The Sound and the Fury" or something like that. Apparently some deafies take offense to using technology that threaten to "eradicate" the deaf culture. Personally, I do not advocate forcing a cochlear implant on a child too young to know what he/she wants. With implants come limitations to what he/she can do physically. On the other hand, there are some benefits to getting and using a cochlear implant as early as possible, but these implants don't work for everyone. We're not all the same... I have known some who got implants and later wish they'd never had it done. There are lots of info about the Deaf culture and technology on the internet, it's not hard to look for them..."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #3 December 2, 2005 The later you get a cochlear implant, the less likely you are to be successful with it, IIRC. However, one of the biggest issues is that many deaf parents don't see their deaf children as disabled, just different, and feel like there's no need to "fix" what isn't broken. Also, Deaf culture may be a huge part of their lives, and they feel that their children may not be able to fully participate if they are Hearing. While hearing people don't understand this, many deaf people view it as something akin to having surgery to add a third arm... sure, it would be convenient and make life more efficient, but why, when life is just fine now? If it were my kid, they'd have the implant. However, I'm not a member of Deaf culture, and I don't live in that world. I do understand, given my own reaction, that parents may not want their child to grow up in a culture that can be drastically different than their own. It's a choice only a parent and child can make. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfc 1 #4 December 2, 2005 One of my sons is profoundly deaf and has an implant, we can have a conversation over the phone. It is a remarkable device. The parents need to choose, it is not an easy path and it does require a huge commitment to get the best out of the device including years of language therapy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mx757 4 #5 December 8, 2005 well.. I'm deaf....I wouldn't want a implant. I like being deaf, I hear ok with my hearing aids.. but some times the "noise" drives me F$%^ing nuts. I prefer peace and quite to work, etc. I was born deaf so.. I do see point of other parents trying to use technology to improve lifes. sooner you start hearig words etc when your young better your speech / language skills will be. I have a private pilots rating [license] and an implant MAY allow me to hear well enough to fly in controlled airspace... but I won't get a implant even though my insurance would cover 100% of it. Why? "noise" I can't see how you hearing people can stand that "NOISE!" I like the way I am... thank you... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #6 December 8, 2005 Quotewell.. I'm deaf....I wouldn't want a implant. I like being deaf, I hear ok with my hearing aids.. but some times the "noise" drives me F$%^ing nuts. I prefer peace and quite to work, etc. I was born deaf so.. I do see point of other parents trying to use technology to improve lifes. sooner you start hearig words etc when your young better your speech / language skills will be. I have a private pilots rating [license] and an implant MAY allow me to hear well enough to fly in controlled airspace... but I won't get a implant even though my insurance would cover 100% of it. Why? "noise" I can't see how you hearing people can stand that "NOISE!" I like the way I am... thank you... Yeah, I wouldn't get a cochlear implant for the same reason, but cochlear implants still have an on/off switch... All that said, I much prefer my ANALog hearing aid... "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #7 December 8, 2005 I much prefer my ANALog hearing aid... yeah, you do seem to listen w/ your ass alot... I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #8 December 8, 2005 QuoteI much prefer my ANALog hearing aid... yeah, you do seem to listen w/ your ass alot... It's so he can hear you talking through yours.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #9 December 8, 2005 QuoteQuoteI much prefer my ANALog hearing aid... yeah, you do seem to listen w/ your ass alot... It's so he can hear you talking through yours. ... at least he listens... I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #10 December 8, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteI much prefer my ANALog hearing aid... yeah, you do seem to listen w/ your ass alot... It's so he can hear you talking through yours. ... at least he listens... You think? "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
