Some, hands on, thoughts about CIs
On the POSITIVE side: Generally speaking, the earlier the patient in implanted, hopefully before age 2, the better the CI works. In post lingual patients, most report the regaining of their failed hearing, but (remember) they have had the benefit of auditory stimulation from previous years. They have a "reference point" with which to compare.
On the NEGATIVE side: Patients implanted later in life, say older than 6 years of age, the benefits seem to diminish. Implants in pre-lingual teens and adults result in markedly poorer results.
The main complaint against CIs is not that they have benefit, rather that (to some) it artificially makes a "hearing person" out a "deaf person" which, to me is
a poor excuse to deprive anyone the chance for a markedly improved life in a predominately world of sounds and voice.
Those that rally against CIs are (to me) narrow minded, mean spirited, petty, jealous, ignorant and self serving.
These are the same people who rail against MCE, SEE1, MSS, Cued Speech, CIs, HAs and the hearing society. They are to be pitied.
"They who know not and care not that they know not, are fools. Shun them"
