If You Are Deaf, Please Answer Regardless Of What Your Friends Think...

[Liebling:-)))]

After all I suffered with my mom... she was mentall abuse and physical abuse me when i was little throughout childhood/teen... She forced me to go many places and hoping for my hearing bring back...

She forced me to have cochlear implants on both ears.. at age 16, I refused.. she tricked me to sent me for hearing test but I was end up in waiting room to go in surgery, I was like wtf.. why IV? i thought i am suppose to have hearing tests.. Dr asked me if I know anything.. I said.. Is it for hearing tests.. Dr said... no.. you are going to have surgery for cochlear implants.. I jumped out and yelled Noooo way.. Dr scold my mom..

So, now I am against to it.. Sorry.. if you are born deaf or hoh.. so Be at it.. that what God made for you....

Oh my God, I'm very sorry what you had been through.

Yes, it's Physical Emotional abuse what your mother did to you. It's awful that she lied to you. It means that she HURT your trust.

Your story remind me of my friend Maja. I already said the story about her in other CI threads. She told me sad story about her parents at 2 years old. Their parents pulled her to surgery when she was 11 years old. She scream and scream but the doctor give her shot to calm her down then surgery...... She lost her respect on her parents for that. She and her parents have no trust retainship bond. She keep herself all the time and break her contact with her parents for long time. Her parents can't forgive themselves what they done that to her because her behavior is different than they know her before surgery. She rebelled against them...... break her contact with them .... They searched to find her and beg her to forgive them and long talk... She forgave them but no trust still in her feeling... Hard... You are very lucky that the doctor did not give you shot to calm you down then surgery but it got you know what your mother did is abuse and hurt your trust.


That's low self-esteem what the parents did to their children


Yes, I'm agree with gnarlydorkette.

 

[Unegawahya]

I wouldn't go for CI, because I'm too chicken with it. I rather stay that way as God intends for us to be. I was born with slightly hearing loss in my right ear and deaf in my left ear but as I grew older, I lost more at 4 years old when I fell off the tree. Got a chronic infection for a long time because they can't find the debris in my ear's cavity. Until now, it seems disappeared. The medications I was put on for a long time last year regained my hearing back to mild case and I still hate it. So I rather not become a hearing person again (mild case can be a hearing even if you don't hear the "beep" or "squeek" sounds). Too much for me to absorb the sounds. I freaked out when I hear some new sounds like beeping tones at the check-out. I tried to ignore but I can't. Tho medications do not help improve the hearing, it just lessen the infections down from Chronic middle ear infection to almost disappered. I quitted takin'em. Hate those medications. When I heard about CI, I cringe at it. No thanks to CI. I congratulate some who are implanted with CIs and hope they have many years of enjoyment. As for someone who said, "lost a friends" I doubt it. I see some deafies with CI implants do not lose friends.

 

[pek1]

I wouldn't go for CI, because I'm too chicken with it. I rather stay that way as God intends for us to be. I was born with slightly hearing loss in my right ear and deaf in my left ear but as I grew older, I lost more at 4 years old when I fell off the tree. Got a chronic infection for a long time because they can't find the debris in my ear's cavity. Until now, it seems disappeared. The medications I was put on for a long time last year regained my hearing back to mild case and I still hate it. So I rather not become a hearing person again (mild case can be a hearing even if you don't hear the "beep" or "squeek" sounds). Too much for me to absorb the sounds. I freaked out when I hear some new sounds like beeping tones at the check-out. I tried to ignore but I can't. Tho medications do not help improve the hearing, it just lessen the infections down from Chronic middle ear infection to almost disappered. I quitted takin'em. Hate those medications. When I heard about CI, I cringe at it. No thanks to CI. I congratulate some who are implanted with CIs and hope they have many years of enjoyment. As for someone who said, "lost a friends" I doubt it. I see some deafies with CI implants do not lose friends.

Whitewolf1970,

Wow! Sounds like you really had some really, really incompetent doctors working on you, which is really sad and those clods give the medical profession a bad name, unfortunately. However, I would discourage you from quitting those medications and talk to your doctor (s) before continuing on. Perhaps they're working on something with you, so it won't hurt to try. On the other hand, though, Whitewolf1970, if you feel like the doctor (s) is/are using you as a guinea pig, then by all means, you need to tell them that and inform them you are quitting your meds. How long ago was this, with the meds and all? If a long time ago, disregard what I said, but, I'm still curious.

Thanks!!

 

[sr171soars]

I have to say I applaud people like you Srssoars......Despite what some people may think I am NOT anti-CI. I just think that the criteria should be a little stricter....There are some people who think long and hard about it, and who do it as an absolute last resort....BUT there also seems to be people who WANT a CI b/c it's the latest TrEnDy up to date technology! No matter that a body worn aid or one of those high frequncy transponder things might do the job just as well.......

I never thought you were (Anti-CI). You have consistently stated that you think the criterion is not tight enough. Given what I have seen and heard, you may very well be right. My only beef is how you get so "worked" up about it

I totally agree that getting a CI requires long and hard thinking about the pros and cons. It is not something I took lightly. As I have mentioned before, I'm very much a part of the hearing world and to give that up...just didn't go down well with me. No offense to the deaf (world)...it was a personal decision.

 

[deafdyke]

My only beef is how you get so "worked" up about it

It's a side effect from listening to those "CI for everyone" types.....arughhhh.....they are just monomanic about them! If it weren't for those "CI is the Eighth Wonder of the World" Asperger Syndrome obsessed types, I wouldn't even say boo.

 

[Unegawahya]

Whitewolf1970,

Wow! Sounds like you really had some really, really incompetent doctors working on you, which is really sad and those clods give the medical profession a bad name, unfortunately. However, I would discourage you from quitting those medications and talk to your doctor (s) before continuing on. Perhaps they're working on something with you, so it won't hurt to try. On the other hand, though, Whitewolf1970, if you feel like the doctor (s) is/are using you as a guinea pig, then by all means, you need to tell them that and inform them you are quitting your meds. How long ago was this, with the meds and all? If a long time ago, disregard what I said, but, I'm still curious.

Thanks!!

It was last year. I stopped going to that audiologist after she disagrees w/ me and still wants me to continue on those medications. Both of them are pseudoephedrine and nasonex. I'm surprised they cleared up my sinus. And the infection medication which I don't remember the name was use to clearing the chronic infection like mine. All three combined together which I don't quite understand how they did it. During the testing before hte hearing test, the waves went up and down more frequently than before. Prior to that, it was almost like just straight line. Now up and down which freaked me out. I felt like a "guinea pig" so I quitted visit the office. My kids' dad quitted too becuz he was freaked out with those medications he was put on also. I don't recommend since pseudoephedrine shouldn't be used in US. It's addiction so I quitted taking it and freaked out when I learned it in my Administration of Justice class. Jeez. So I quitted those and now I'm fine, but still with the stupid "beep" and "squeek" in the stores, etc.. ARGH!

 

[pek1]

Whitewolf1070,

Not sure I'm following the beeping and squeeking...can you explain that? As for the meds, can you explain...maybe I'm dense, I don't understand why you're on them.

 

[DeafMonkey]

After all I suffered with my mom... she was mentall abuse and physical abuse me when i was little throughout childhood/teen... She forced me to go many places and hoping for my hearing bring back...

She forced me to have cochlear implants on both ears.. at age 16, I refused.. she tricked me to sent me for hearing test but I was end up in waiting room to go in surgery, I was like wtf.. why IV? i thought i am suppose to have hearing tests.. Dr asked me if I know anything.. I said.. Is it for hearing tests.. Dr said... no.. you are going to have surgery for cochlear implants.. I jumped out and yelled Noooo way.. Dr scold my mom..

So, now I am against to it.. Sorry.. if you are born deaf or hoh.. so Be at it.. that what God made for you....

Oh wow sound like your mom wanted you become can hear like hearing ppl I guess.

My mom took me to hearing test in my both ears to how it go cause i was gonna plan new hearing aids till the lady told my mom till my mom told me I was said nope! nope! nope! nope! not want it then my mom said why ?? are you scare of sugery?? I told her yup! and dont want use for cochlear implants I rather use hearing aids are good ENOUGH!. Oh yeah i told my mom that I am born the way i am deaf not use cochlear implants like who i am not being become like a hearing ppl. oh yeah I told my mom that I was said to her " cochlear implants are not WORTH IT!!!! hearing aids are good enough than hearing aids till she accept it dont want to wear cocohlear implants.

I wear hearing aids all my life can hear at all i dont need wear cocohlear implants

 

[Unegawahya]

Whitewolf1070,

Not sure I'm following the beeping and squeeking...can you explain that? As for the meds, can you explain...maybe I'm dense, I don't understand why you're on them.

"Beeping" and "Squeeking" are the tones coming from either the Scanners or the Store's check-out scanners, alarms, etc..wherever those sounds are coming from. Hurt my left ear. Audiologist's own opinion is that we all have allergies from outside which clogged the inner cavities (what? Me think she's ). These medications suppose to relieve nasal congestions and sinus but they don't always do that. Pseudo made me feel "high" which I hate it but can also bring some sounds we never hear before like soft "ringing" from the phone. Somethin' about that drug inside those pills. She put me on those too long. Doesn't make sense, right? She's weird. So I quitted goin' over there. I now have a new audiologist who disagrees with the old audiologist. I hope someday they will ban that pseudophedrine drug. I freaked out already.

 

[pek1]

Whitewolf1970,

I get it now...the beeping from the cash register and the scanners. As for the meds, sounds like you finally found a decent audiologist. Those signs of being higher than a kite should not be happening. Keep me informed what's going on, okay?

 

[Unegawahya]

Whitewolf1970,

I get it now...the beeping from the cash register and the scanners. As for the meds, sounds like you finally found a decent audiologist. Those signs of being higher than a kite should not be happening. Keep me informed what's going on, okay?

Yeah, maybe I should clarifying what I am saying. Oops. And yes, I have a very good audiologist now. I know, being higher than the kite freaked me out. Sure, I will keep you informed once I get another hearing test. Now the volume on my hearing aid is only 1 1/2, prior to that it was 2 1/2. Maybe I might be fitted with ITE type in a few years. Who knows. I rather stay with BTE type because of "T" coil switch I like. But maybe not.

I'm going to research this type of silly prescription pills. I don't think it's safe for anyone to use. I would vote the pseudophedrine "unsafe" if mixed with other medications.

 

[Momoftwo]

No!! I will NEVER NEVER go for a CI because God made me deaf. God never created the CI. CI was invented by man-made. I don't need the CI and I am very, very happy with my deafness. Disabilities (deaf, blind, mental retarded, etc) are very special to God because this task is the tough challenges.

And .....well...my deaf friend had the CI for 3 years and she almost died from it and she had the doctor to remove it in 3 years ago. She was very, very lucky to be alive. She warned her friends not to go for CI. She told me that her CI doctor was a very good reputation, very good doctor. She is still very mad that her hearing is gone completely as she wore two hearing aids on. She still is so mad. She realized that she took the risk - big risk.

So for some of you people who have the CI or planning to get CI, good luck and it is still very risky that you may never know.

My friend's tube or something in her ear or cochlear or something and it got leaked and then it was exploded when she was on the plane in the air. She said it was VERY VERY VERY PAINFUL as she was crying so hard and the plane landed and it was an emergency and she flew back to her home and rushed to the hospital and the doctor removed it. The doctor anaylzed on the CI part - that CI device was malfunction. It's like tv or camera or car to be broken. The doctor asked her if she wanted to go for another CI and she said NO!!!!!!!

Sooooo, that's why CI isn't a good idea.

 

[pek1]

No!! I will NEVER NEVER go for a CI because God made me deaf. God never created the CI. CI was invented by man-made. I don't need the CI and I am very, very happy with my deafness. Disabilities (deaf, blind, mental retarded, etc) are very special to God because this task is the tough challenges.

And .....well...my deaf friend had the CI for 3 years and she almost died from it and she had the doctor to remove it in 3 years ago. She was very, very lucky to be alive. She warned her friends not to go for CI. She told me that her CI doctor was a very good reputation, very good doctor. She is still very mad that her hearing is gone completely as she wore two hearing aids on. She still is so mad. She realized that she took the risk - big risk.

So for some of you people who have the CI or planning to get CI, good luck and it is still very risky that you may never know.

My friend's tube or something in her ear or cochlear or something and it got leaked and then it was exploded when she was on the plane in the air. She said it was VERY VERY VERY PAINFUL as she was crying so hard and the plane landed and it was an emergency and she flew back to her home and rushed to the hospital and the doctor removed it. The doctor anaylzed on the CI part - that CI device was malfunction. It's like tv or camera or car to be broken. The doctor asked her if she wanted to go for another CI and she said NO!!!!!!!

Sooooo, that's why CI isn't a good idea.

Momoftwo,

I honestly don't know what to tell you, as your answer deflated me as to a response. I don't know if I should ask you to ask your friend to reconsider and allow the doctor to correct it, but at the same time, there's only so much surgery a person can take. For example, I've had two of them on my left hand, as I was born with a congenital defect and doesn't and will never have the strength of the right hand/arm. I've had sinus surgery and years ago, had my wisdom teeth removed, so, I can empathize with your friend. Probably feels like either a guinea pig or a pin cushion. Either way, I am so very sorry to hear of this, as this is not the reason I posted the poll or asked the question. I'm just glad you and the others have given me honest answers and, for the future, others who come onto this website will read all the responses regarding if they'd undergo the knife for a CI.

By the way, I don't want you or the others to think I'm mad at them for responses against or for the CI, as that was NOT the purpose of this. You might have been "censored" on other websites, but, hopefully on alldeaf, you and others are not, especially regarding this. If we can't be honest with each other, what's the purpose of having information on something where everyone "sings its praises" (regarding CI's)?

Deafdyke, are you around? You know the website I'm referring to, right, as we've discussed this...SHHH?

 

[deafdyke]

lol......Oh yes indeedy I do. You know, I do remmy reading an article over at hearing excahnge that said that most people eligable for the CI, weren't opting for it...... I mean is this a REAL problem, or just akin to the " terrorism threat" problem? (ie creating a false sense of threat where there actually is none or the threat is very low?) Personally as a deaf activist, I wouldn't even speak up or make a fuss......but some of the CI advocates are just beyond hardcore, and almost seem to be selling it!

 

[DefLord]

I voted no. Ears are organs, am I right? I wish doctors know how to give us ears implant.

How are ears organs?? Organs are things that you need to stay alive - aka like Liver, Kidney, heart and etc.. Ears are NOT organs..

 

[DefLord]

No!! I will NEVER NEVER go for a CI because God made me deaf. God never created the CI. CI was invented by man-made. I don't need the CI and I am very, very happy with my deafness. Disabilities (deaf, blind, mental retarded, etc) are very special to God because this task is the tough challenges.

And .....well...my deaf friend had the CI for 3 years and she almost died from it and she had the doctor to remove it in 3 years ago. She was very, very lucky to be alive. She warned her friends not to go for CI. She told me that her CI doctor was a very good reputation, very good doctor. She is still very mad that her hearing is gone completely as she wore two hearing aids on. She still is so mad. She realized that she took the risk - big risk.

So for some of you people who have the CI or planning to get CI, good luck and it is still very risky that you may never know.

My friend's tube or something in her ear or cochlear or something and it got leaked and then it was exploded when she was on the plane in the air. She said it was VERY VERY VERY PAINFUL as she was crying so hard and the plane landed and it was an emergency and she flew back to her home and rushed to the hospital and the doctor removed it. The doctor anaylzed on the CI part - that CI device was malfunction. It's like tv or camera or car to be broken. The doctor asked her if she wanted to go for another CI and she said NO!!!!!!!

Sooooo, that's why CI isn't a good idea.

Ummm First of all - there is NO tube in the ear or cochlear for CI's. It might have been her eardrum that exploded and the eardrum has NOTHING to do with the CI. And yes, the eardrum if busted is painful. But other than that, CI's do NOT have anything inside that can explode. (And don't tell me I am wrong, I have a CI so I know what I am talking about - and I did my research) The CI has 2 parts.. one part which is internal - which is like a magnet - and the rest is like a soft padding. And then you have the external part which is LIKE a hearing aid. Ya know I used to be PRO-ANTI CI, but after a while doing more and more research, and start looking at facts rather than some blabberish gibberish stories I see the improvement in technology. I'm sorry I am eager to move on with technology as it improves. But regardless I am still deaf, but I am using and taking advantage of technology for the sole purpose so I can achieve more things in life. (Particularly in the workplace). Granted CI is NOT for everyone. But I'm tired of hearing stories like oh you can't scuba dive (well blashemy - my father has a CI and he scuba dives all the time), or you can't do this or you can't do that. But from my understanding you can do ANYTHING you want - there is no restriction at ALL for this. I am not saying all deaf should get CI because I dont think they SHOULD. But only for those who have the desire for this then go for it!

And you know EVERY surgery is RISKY! If you are getting a surgery for your leg or your kidney or whatever - every SURGERY is RISKY regardless of how minor or major it is. Nothing is perfect you just have to do your research and make sure you pick out the best doctor and hospital.

 

[darkangel8603]

Ummm First of all - there is NO tube in the ear or cochlear for CI's. It might have been her eardrum that exploded and the eardrum has NOTHING to do with the CI. And yes, the eardrum if busted is painful. But other than that, CI's do NOT have anything inside that can explode. (And don't tell me I am wrong, I have a CI so I know what I am talking about - and I did my research) The CI has 2 parts.. one part which is internal - which is like a magnet - and the rest is like a soft padding. And then you have the external part which is LIKE a hearing aid. Ya know I used to be PRO-ANTI CI, but after a while doing more and more research, and start looking at facts rather than some blabberish gibberish stories I see the improvement in technology. I'm sorry I am eager to move on with technology as it improves. But regardless I am still deaf, but I am using and taking advantage of technology for the sole purpose so I can achieve more things in life. (Particularly in the workplace). Granted CI is NOT for everyone. But I'm tired of hearing stories like oh you can't scuba dive (well blashemy - my father has a CI and he scuba dives all the time), or you can't do this or you can't do that. But from my understanding you can do ANYTHING you want - there is no restriction at ALL for this. I am not saying all deaf should get CI because I dont think they SHOULD. But only for those who have the desire for this then go for it!

And you know EVERY surgery is RISKY! If you are getting a surgery for your leg or your kidney or whatever - every SURGERY is RISKY regardless of how minor or major it is. Nothing is perfect you just have to do your research and make sure you pick out the best doctor and hospital.

I agree, i am getting sick and tired of people thinking that people getting a ci is rescricted to living their life at the fullest..

 

[sr171soars]

Ummm First of all - there is NO tube in the ear or cochlear for CI's. It might have been her eardrum that exploded and the eardrum has NOTHING to do with the CI. And yes, the eardrum if busted is painful. But other than that, CI's do NOT have anything inside that can explode. (And don't tell me I am wrong, I have a CI so I know what I am talking about - and I did my research) The CI has 2 parts.. one part which is internal - which is like a magnet - and the rest is like a soft padding. And then you have the external part which is LIKE a hearing aid. Ya know I used to be PRO-ANTI CI, but after a while doing more and more research, and start looking at facts rather than some blabberish gibberish stories I see the improvement in technology. I'm sorry I am eager to move on with technology as it improves. But regardless I am still deaf, but I am using and taking advantage of technology for the sole purpose so I can achieve more things in life. (Particularly in the workplace). Granted CI is NOT for everyone. But I'm tired of hearing stories like oh you can't scuba dive (well blashemy - my father has a CI and he scuba dives all the time), or you can't do this or you can't do that. But from my understanding you can do ANYTHING you want - there is no restriction at ALL for this. I am not saying all deaf should get CI because I dont think they SHOULD. But only for those who have the desire for this then go for it!

And you know EVERY surgery is RISKY! If you are getting a surgery for your leg or your kidney or whatever - every SURGERY is RISKY regardless of how minor or major it is. Nothing is perfect you just have to do your research and make sure you pick out the best doctor and hospital.

I agree totally especially since I have one myself. Having a CI allowed me to hear better again after years of a slow gradual decline. There is too much FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) floating around regarding CIs. They may not be for everyone but anyone who desires an opportunity to hear again, they may be the answer they seek. I have absolutely no regrets getting mine and I recommend them as an option for others in my predictment.

What irritates me so much is that many people ramble on about something as they knew what they are talking about. Their reasoning is totally based on emotions and believe me if that is all people did in society, the world would be kaput or destroyed now. I had mixed feelings about CIs in the past but when my hearing went south things changed for me. Once I learned more about them and saw how others were getting along with them, I knew I would have to seriously consider one. It is absolutely amazing what technology can do for you nowadays.

*Sigh* Too many people base their decisions on their feelings...decisions should be based on more than that.

 

[pek1]

I'm well aware of the arguments for and against a CI, however, some people believe their feelings and views are correct...for them...maybe for others, too. But, let's not forget, there are people who have had doctors and audiologists that have repeatedly misdiagnosed them. For example, in the mid-to-late 20th century, well over half the population in mental institutions were there because they were...deaf. I'm 42 and my parents told me that, prior to obtaining hearing aids, I was diagnosed by the school psychologist as being "mentally retarded." Does that sound familiar to anyone here on this thread? On these forums on alldeaf.com? Let's not forget, also, that many audiologists are NOT deaf or even hard-of-hearing. Did you know that I was a pre-audiology major at Minnesota State University-Moorhead during the 2002-2003 school year? My classmates in one class, and the professor that taught it, gave me the attitude, "Well, I can hear and you can't, thus, I am better than you are and I'm in the middle of my period." Never mind the fact that the professor was a man. :roll: Well, I'm not going into audiology, but haven't forgotten their attitudes. I'm at another university and some of the students from MSUM, not my classmates at the time, are here for grad school. Do you think I'd let them be in on my case here? Not in my lifetime! Their credibility STARTS when we're classmates, not when they think it does. Plus, as a hoh person, I will remember who they are and, in the future if they are anywhere close to my case, I will refuse them. I would be the client/patient and that is my right.

Now, the reason I posted this is not to get a flame game going, so please, forget about it everyone, okay? I asked for the reasons that, first of all, I needed information for two speeches, of which, the second one is where I needed to state my position on Cochlear Implants. Secondly and lastly, I have made up my mind, which is a win-win situation. My position, for the hearing person who lost her/his hearing (later in life, note this), having a CI is NOT a sure bet that some hearing will be restored. If I was in this category, NO, I would not take the chance. Instead, I'd learn and continue to learn ASL (I've had one year of it). Secondly, for children, I consider a CI a panacea for the parents who don't want to deal with reality that their child is DEAF, a major no-no. I do not and will not recommend CI's on them for any reason. Third, for deaf people, I would let them make up their individual mind's, as they are old enough and know what they are doing. If they don't want it, they should not be either forced to have it or be given such a guilt complex by those who have posted that they have it done. Anyone can develop complications, just like any surgery. Above all else, let's not forget, having a CI is NOT reversable. What residual hearing one had will be gone forever if the CI is not a success.

Remember, those with CI's, you may or may not develop complications in the future. Given research on them, it's still way too early for me to even give it my 100% approval, so, as it sits now, I only give 20% and that is a stretch. And, by the way for your information, I am a very informed person. I should be, as I'm also a journalist.

 

[DefLord]

I'm well aware of the arguments for and against a CI, however, some people believe their feelings and views are correct...for them...maybe for others, too. But, let's not forget, there are people who have had doctors and audiologists that have repeatedly misdiagnosed them. For example, in the mid-to-late 20th century, well over half the population in mental institutions were there because they were...deaf. I'm 42 and my parents told me that, prior to obtaining hearing aids, I was diagnosed by the school psychologist as being "mentally retarded." Does that sound familiar to anyone here on this thread? On these forums on alldeaf.com? Let's not forget, also, that many audiologists are NOT deaf or even hard-of-hearing. Did you know that I was a pre-audiology major at Minnesota State University-Moorhead during the 2002-2003 school year? My classmates in one class, and the professor that taught it, gave me the attitude, "Well, I can hear and you can't, thus, I am better than you are and I'm in the middle of my period." Never mind the fact that the professor was a man. :roll: Well, I'm not going into audiology, but haven't forgotten their attitudes. I'm at another university and some of the students from MSUM, not my classmates at the time, are here for grad school. Do you think I'd let them be in on my case here? Not in my lifetime! Their credibility STARTS when we're classmates, not when they think it does. Plus, as a hoh person, I will remember who they are and, in the future if they are anywhere close to my case, I will refuse them. I would be the client/patient and that is my right.

Now, the reason I posted this is not to get a flame game going, so please, forget about it everyone, okay? I asked for the reasons that, first of all, I needed information for two speeches, of which, the second one is where I needed to state my position on Cochlear Implants. Secondly and lastly, I have made up my mind, which is a win-win situation. My position, for the hearing person who lost her/his hearing (later in life, note this), having a CI is NOT a sure bet that some hearing will be restored. If I was in this category, NO, I would not take the chance. Instead, I'd learn and continue to learn ASL (I've had one year of it). Secondly, for children, I consider a CI a panacea for the parents who don't want to deal with reality that their child is DEAF, a major no-no. I do not and will not recommend CI's on them for any reason. Third, for deaf people, I would let them make up their individual mind's, as they are old enough and know what they are doing. If they don't want it, they should not be either forced to have it or be given such a guilt complex by those who have posted that they have it done. Anyone can develop complications, just like any surgery. Above all else, let's not forget, having a CI is NOT reversable. What residual hearing one had will be gone forever if the CI is not a success.

Remember, those with CI's, you may or may not develop complications in the future. Given research on them, it's still way too early for me to even give it my 100% approval, so, as it sits now, I only give 20% and that is a stretch. And, by the way for your information, I am a very informed person. I should be, as I'm also a journalist.

Hehe Yes back in those days there was probably ALOT of misdiagnoses.. I mean right now probably the biggest misdiagnoses is "Is the child ADHD or ADD" So there is always something, and I agree with you. Now in the regards to the CI let me put it this way, CI will RESTORE your HEARING regardless - I see this from people hwo I have interacted with and have known their background. My father has been profoundly deaf all his life he was sitting at the 110 db - and he can hear things I COULDNT even hear. He would hear my blackberry going off about 10-15 feet away. But I didn't get my CI for that.... The real purpose that I see people getting a CI is for the purpose of being able to COMPREND what people are saying. Interpreters are hard to come by! So, but now in the manner - now if I had a deaf child "NO I would NOT implant a CI on that child" I rather the CHILD make the choice her/himself. Because it is the child's own body and the child needs to make the decision on her/his own. Now I think the CI will be MOST successful on people who had hearing and eventually lost it as they got older or just lost it. I think it is less successful on those who never heard before. So, for the last 10 years I had been very pro-anti CI, but within the last 2 years I started to look into it, and interviewed people who had the CI, I started watching them to see what they could and couldn't respond to. I talked to people on what experiences they had and how they felt and etc about it. But you know they ALL say the same thing, it is different for every individual. So, that is the key! If hearing aids would help me, then I wouldn't get the CI, but I am already getting to the point where hearing aids are NOT helping me. And I am TRYING to build a business of my own (and hearing people are the people I have to deal with on a daily basis) so, I need the ability to communicate and so forth.