Deaf Community Vs.

Cochlear Implants

(The Clarion Cochlear Implant) For many children born deaf, parents are shocked, scared, maybe even disappointed. The parents may feel theyre to blame for the childs disability. Because of this, the parents take it upon themselves to rectify their mistake. A viral video on youtube about a child hearing his mothers voice for the first time is widely known, mainly because people feel the miracle of modern science has cured a disability that has plagued people since the dawn of time. They think its a beautiful touching moment that many hearing people take for granted; and it is. However, many Deaf people feel differently. Some Deaf people are offended that someone would want to take away the opportunity for a child to be a part of the Deaf Community. They are offended because they think hearing people think Deafness is a problem that should be fixed.

Even just last semester, I had a teacher who was telling us a story about a person who was doing research on mice to cure human deafness. I chuckled to myself at the story knowing full well the repercussions Deaf people would take to prevent this. It seems, hearing people dont understand, that Deaf people dont necessarily want to be able to hear. I tell that to hearing people, and a look of confusion appears on their face. Lets say you spoke English all your life, and another country invaded, takes over, and demands that everyone learn Russian or Mandarin or what have you and adopt their respective cultures. Would you not feel like your identity was being taken away from you? Wouldnt you feel like it was unfair that you had no choice in what language you spoke? Not to mention the difficulties youd face adjusting to an entirely different culture. Yes, there are some Deaf people who dont think this marvel of modern science will take away their culture and heritage. Patricia Chute, director of the Cochlear Implant Center of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, sees no reason that implantation should exclude the teaching of signed English, as long as a child gets equal exposure to signed and spoken languages. (Tolson). However, this does not account for the impact of the childs psyche. Cheryl Heppner, director of the Northern Virginia Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, said: children whose basic mode of communication is cued speech and those with cochlear implants face ostracism in parts of deaf society. I am often mistaken for a hearing person by deaf people who have never met me, she said. My signs are very English-oriented, and I speak, so they assume I'm hearing. Even after they find out I'm deaf they will regard me with suspicion. (Barringer). There are positives to having a cochlear implant. Insurance will cover most if not all costs of the procedure. Your doctor will tell you it is better to get it done early so they can adjust to it

easier. As they grow up, not knowing any different way, the cochlear implant will be normal to them and they wont need to adjust to it. These are some of the pros to getting it done early, but the cons outweigh the cons by far. When the child grows up they could feel like their parents wanted to change them because they werent born perfectly. They could feel ostracized from the Deaf world for signing English and not signing ASL. They would feel like they didnt belong in the hearing world because they have a mechanism on their head which is very noticeable. They would miss out on opportunities to be a part of a culture that welcomes the deaf child the way they are. They child may grow up resenting the fact that they had no say in their parents decision which affects the rest of the childs life. Cochlear implants dont just allow a person to hear, they amplify every sound; in crowded rooms the deaf person may as well not have gotten the implant. Just because a child is born deaf does not mean they are broken or their opportunities in life are cut short, in fact, it is a great opportunity for the children and adults to become more aware of the community around them instead of turning a blind eye to the issues. It would mean automatic friendships with the Deaf Community where ever you go. Its a blessing in disguise for members of the Deaf Community, and they wouldnt trade it for the world. Later on in life, if the child wants to get themselves a cochlear implant, thats fine, but its a personal decision that shouldnt be rushed into or forced upon a child.

Works Cited The Clarion Cochlear Implant. 2009. Photograph. http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/biochip3.phpWeb. 4 Oct 2013. <http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/biochip3.php>.

Tolson, Jay. Can The Quietest War Be Brought To An End?. U.S. News & World Report 126.8 (1999): 58. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 Oct. 2012

Barringer, Felicity.New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast) [New York, N.Y] 16 May 1993: A.1.