Perhaps a matter of appropriate labels. Doesn't the idea of cliques-"hearing" or "deaf" suggests a sociological "grouping"- In vs out?
As for the "deaf community?" getting "excited" that a Cochlear Implant actually "cured" deafness is incorrect.In the end is just "electronic device" which "tricks the brain" to accept "whatever the correct term is" as sound. Thus one can "hear sound"- people speaking, music playing etc-- assuming one can "accept" the Implant. Unfortunately it doesn't work on everyone. I understand the term "neural plasticity" deals with this.
Somewhat like wearing a pair of glasses to "assist" in correcting various problems.
As for whether the authors of "the Journey into the Deaf-World" Harlan Lane et al are correct in their thoughts re "deaf culture" is an exercise in Sociology. Is there really the "hearing Community" vs "Deaf Community". All 3 authors are Professors.
Again how persons here in alldeaf.com ACTUALLY accept any of this-unknown?
As stated before, my "interest in all of this" started back in 1992- when I lost all hearing in my Right ear.( I was in the Profound level-85 db-left ear)
. From tests it was determined I wasn't suffering from "tumors/brain cancer" etc which might explain the lost. Advised that in the future would become deaf. Happened December 20. 2006. Thus my "interest" in this topic. Collected a lot of info from various sources. Irony: had a Cochlear Corp booklet on their Implants with Sunnybrook /Toronto giving me an Advanced Bionics-Harmony as being at that time a "better" one. Yeah even took 3 separate introductory ASL classes in 1997/98.
The utter futility of trying learn ASL- WITHOUT practice slowly "dawned" on me. Then as now- still don't "know" any deaf persons- except the few I met Cdn Hearing Society/Toronto- while taking Hearing Help classes.
Interesting discussion in Sociology. Bill
Implanted- Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07.