Help me understand.

redmini1968

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I am writing an English paper on cochlear implants; I'm attempting to present views from the Deaf community both for and against CI. I have gathered lots of technical information on CI, have read many success stories, and have read many pro-implant views from the Deaf community. I am having trouble gathering information/views/opinions from members of the Deaf community who are not in favor of the implants. I have read several articles that basically say the same thing, "some of the Deaf community are against CI because they are a proud community or that the Deaf community has a rich history and culture". The articles never got into specific reasons for why some are against CI. If a Deaf or HOH person could give me a little more detailed view as to why they may not support CI, I would greatly appreciate it. I am not for or against CI; I do not have enough knowledge regarding them to make such a stand either way. If you answer, you will be contributing to my education! Thanks so very much.
 
Take your time to browse thru several threads in this section..
 
Thank you "Boult". I have been reading the threads; if you have any favorites, send them my way! thanks again for your time!
 
Redmini, I am a hearing father of a profoundly deaf child. From what I have gathered thus far (anyone please correct me if I am wrong) is that many are not against CI's per se but against a parent choosing to have a child implanted. There are also some that are against CI's because they feel it's the begining to the end of Deaf culture and the natural deaf language of ASL. If you click on my profile and select view threads started by me you will find a few in there that provide some insight on the topic. Also look in the Jump To thread section under technologies and our world our culture and you may find others.

Also, here are some WWW links with information
The Cochlear Implant Controversy - CBS News
Not everyone is sold on the cochlear implant
Here are the results of a google search using Cochlear Implants and deaf culture as the criteria. You will find much information here.
Cochlear implants and deaf culture - Google Search
 
Yes, and in addition, things are getting a LOT more moderate. Even the NAD is OK with CIs now! I think in five or ten years, they will be overall accepted.
More and more people are getting implanted. In a few years, I bet that CIs will be just as accepted as hearing aids are now.
Personally, I am 100% ok with them in blatently obvious cases.....like with auditory nereopathy or the cases where hearing aids DON'T work at all.
Hey.....I am 100% OK with them in cases where one ear is "dead" and the other gets some response to aiding. They are also great for cases like severe tinituas and recruitment.
I do think however that the CI centers need a uniform implantation criteria. It's too easy to "shop around" for a CI now. Some people are treating them like the latest gotta have trendy techno-gadget. A few years ago, people were yapping about how wonderful digital aids were........but there are still many dhh who wear plain ol' analogs
 
Rockdrummer & Deafdyke:
Thanks so much for your comments. The links are great as is the insight. I really appreciate all the help! Thanks again!
Red Mini Coopers Rule! :ty:
 
they are also afraid that deaf people will prefer hearing world over the deaf and then deaf culture would shrink or disappear.
 
they are also afraid that deaf people will prefer hearing world over the deaf and then deaf culture would shrink or disappear.

Nah...I think if in the future, 100% of deaf people have CIs, they will still probably get together but in what language? That is a good question.
 
Nah...I think if in the future, 100% of deaf people have CIs, they will still probably get together but in what language? That is a good question.

Er...so you are a congregationalist? :D

Lest there be any confusion over what I meant...I put in context of people congregating as in still getting together...:whistle:
 
Nah...I think if in the future, 100% of deaf people have CIs, they will still probably get together but in what language? That is a good question

i didn't say that would happen, i said that Deaf people are afraid it will happen.
 
If "Deaf people" are afraid that will happen, they certainly need to educate themselves! CI's won't work for everybody.
 
I'm not for or against CIs itself, but the behavior that people show after they get CIs.

You're deaf. With a hearing aid, you hear. With CI, you hear. Without either, you're still deaf. That's something that should be accepted

Some people consider CI a "cure" to deafness, but that isn't true. If they take their CI off, they're deaf again. Sometimes, they stop acknowledging their deafness and change their views towards Deaf Culture. Some of them even stop signing and don't socialize with deaf people any more.

Some people get CIs and still acknowledge their deaf identity. Those are the ones I appreciate and respect. They may improve on their speech, grammar, or their social skills with hearing people... but they don't change their attitude towards deaf people.
 
I'm not for or against CIs itself, but the behavior that people show after they get CIs.

You're deaf. With a hearing aid, you hear. With CI, you hear. Without either, you're still deaf. That's something that should be accepted

Some people consider CI a "cure" to deafness, but that isn't true. If they take their CI off, they're deaf again. Sometimes, they stop acknowledging their deafness and change their views towards Deaf Culture. Some of them even stop signing and don't socialize with deaf people any more.

Some people get CIs and still acknowledge their deaf identity. Those are the ones I appreciate and respect. They may improve on their speech, grammar, or their social skills with hearing people... but they don't change their attitude towards deaf people.

QFTW!

Quoted For The Win! ;)
 
You have all opened many new questions and ideas for my paper; thank you! I read a blog the other day by a gal in college who attended a seminar about CI. In her blog she mentioned that persons with CI can not ride rollar-costers or have MRI's. She also mentioned children with CI shouldnt play on plastic toys and that persons should be aware of the possible risks riding in Hybrid cars! The above cautions are due to magnetic and static factors that may erase CI devices. Is any of this true?
 
You have all opened many new questions and ideas for my paper; thank you! I read a blog the other day by a gal in college who attended a seminar about CI. In her blog she mentioned that persons with CI can not ride rollar-costers or have MRI's. She also mentioned children with CI shouldnt play on plastic toys and that persons should be aware of the possible risks riding in Hybrid cars! The above cautions are due to magnetic and static factors that may erase CI devices. Is any of this true?

The only definitive answer concerns the MRI. That is a fact due to the magnetic forces involved when it is on. In other words, it is highly probable to shift the implant around and cause severe consequences. So, one with a CI doesn't get a MRI except when the magnet is removed (the implant stays put) and the MRI is done at a low level. There are cases that this may have to done.

Playing on a plastic slide isn't a great idea either especially due to the static factor. Kids usually aren't aware of what is going on around them all the time. I have gone down them many times myself when playing with my kids but then I'm smart enough to not get my head on the slide itself and make sure I discharge any static safely.

The other stuff sounds like myth. I can't see why a roller coaster is a problem other than maybe making sure one's processor doesn't fall off. Hybrid cars ?!? I don't think that is an issue either.
 
You have all opened many new questions and ideas for my paper; thank you! I read a blog the other day by a gal in college who attended a seminar about CI. In her blog she mentioned that persons with CI can not ride rollar-costers or have MRI's. She also mentioned children with CI shouldnt play on plastic toys and that persons should be aware of the possible risks riding in Hybrid cars! The above cautions are due to magnetic and static factors that may erase CI devices. Is any of this true?

Well. 2 years ago, when my work set up the CI program, we were all given a list of things that posed a risk to the devices itself...I can't remember what it said but for this year, they didn't give us that list so I don't know if things have changed. Someone here on AD mentioned that those risks no longer exist. I shud ask the director of the CI prgram cuz I work with 2 students with CIs.
 
You have all opened many new questions and ideas for my paper; thank you! I read a blog the other day by a gal in college who attended a seminar about CI. In her blog she mentioned that persons with CI can not ride rollar-costers or have MRI's. She also mentioned children with CI shouldnt play on plastic toys and that persons should be aware of the possible risks riding in Hybrid cars! The above cautions are due to magnetic and static factors that may erase CI devices. Is any of this true?

Nope, all nonsense....
Was covered in another thread... I recall a women that uses CI driving a hybrid for the last 3 years...... and no problem whatsoever....
And just thinking out loud, had it been true, any creditcard in your posession while driving would have been wiped as well....

Common sense goes a long way!
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Found the thread.... here
 
Er...so you are a congregationalist? :D

Lest there be any confusion over what I meant...I put in context of people congregating as in still getting together...:whistle:

Yep that is what I am. :giggle:

If all deaf people have CIs, they are still deaf so I am sure there will be a deaf community. Just wonder if ASL will be the dominant language as it is today or will spoken language take over? I mean..think about it..If all deaf kids 100 years from now have been mainstreamed with the oral-only approach and nobody tells them about ASL. That was the question I was wondering but I know that nobody really can answer it cuz we cant predict the future.
 
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