Why adults choose CI's for their children

[shel90]

I heard of a statistic (anyone please confirm or deny) but have not seen the source. I was told that only 20% of the parents of deaf children actuall learn to sign. Sure it's difficult but how could you not want to communicate with your child. Perhaps there are parents out there that decide on CI's so that they don't have to take the time to learn sign language. If true, I think that is sad. For me, learning to sign would be of minimal consideration for the critera of deciding on a CI. That would be a totally selfish reason.

At my school where I work at, we have children who are language delayed because during their first 5 years, they didnt get full access to a language due to their parents' refusal to sign. In the home, the hearing child"s language development grows from hearing the words and sentences being spoken by their parents. For a deaf child who doesnt have the same access to spoken language at home, that puts him/her at a disadvantage. Then when they start school at 5 years old, their language development tend to be the age of 1 to 2 years old. No wonder people in the past labeled deaf people as retarded. It just angers me knowing that some of my students go home and miss out all the language they should be getting. 6 hours of language at the school is not enough. Imagine trying to learn ASL at the age of 5 and then having to tackle on the complexities of the English language in written form at the same time without a strong language foundation?

 

[rockdrummer]

Hi, I just thought I would update this thread with some hopefully useful links on the topic.. I apologize if any are duplicated here. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has responded constructivly here and hope that we can use this thread to continue to share our experiences on this difficult decision.

Cochlear Implants - Facts
Turned On: Cochlear Implants For Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Persons
Position Statement - National Association of the Deaf
Cochlear Implants: Navigating a Forest of Information ... One Tree at a Time--KidsWorld Deaf Net E-Document--Gallaudet University's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
The Decision-Making Process-Cochlear Implants--KidsWorld Deaf Net E-Document--Gallaudet University's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
Making the Decision - Adult Cochlear Implant Program - Cochlear Implant Center - Boys Town National Research Hospital
Cochlear implant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Cloggy]

Hi, I just thought I would update this thread with some hopefully useful links on the topic.. I apologize if any are duplicated here. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has responded constructivly here and hope that we can use this thread to continue to share our experiences on this difficult decision.

Cochlear Implants - Facts
Turned On: Cochlear Implants For Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Persons
Position Statement - National Association of the Deaf
Cochlear Implants: Navigating a Forest of Information ... One Tree at a Time--KidsWorld Deaf Net E-Document--Gallaudet University's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
The Decision-Making Process-Cochlear Implants--KidsWorld Deaf Net E-Document--Gallaudet University's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
Making the Decision - Adult Cochlear Implant Program - Cochlear Implant Center - Boys Town National Research Hospital
Cochlear implant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's never bad to repost links. It's the information that needs to be shown
There are some good articles in the "Clerc" links regarding how children learn to read.
Thanks for bringing this thread to the surface again..

 

[Boult]

Hi, I just thought I would update this thread with some hopefully useful links on the topic.. I apologize if any are duplicated here. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has responded constructivly here and hope that we can use this thread to continue to share our experiences on this difficult decision.

Cochlear Implants - Facts
Turned On: Cochlear Implants For Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Persons
Position Statement - National Association of the Deaf
Cochlear Implants: Navigating a Forest of Information ... One Tree at a Time--KidsWorld Deaf Net E-Document--Gallaudet University's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
The Decision-Making Process-Cochlear Implants--KidsWorld Deaf Net E-Document--Gallaudet University's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
Making the Decision - Adult Cochlear Implant Program - Cochlear Implant Center - Boys Town National Research Hospital
Cochlear implant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

that first link in your post is biased...
take a look at this one;
Cochlear Implants FAQ

you will notice that it says that NAD oppose CI but didn't bother to change it because NAD changed the position. and didn't even try harder to get statement by those who support CI and readily post plenty by those against CI.

I do not recommend that link to anyone looking for information on CI. Omer Zak is not neutral.


This site; The Devices is the one I highly recommend for anyone looking on in HA or CI.

 

[rockdrummer]

that first link in your post is biased...
take a look at this one;
Cochlear Implants FAQ

you will notice that it says that NAD oppose CI but didn't bother to change it because NAD changed the position. and didn't even try harder to get statement by those who support CI and readily post plenty by those against CI.

I do not recommend that link to anyone looking for information on CI. Omer Zak is not neutral.


This site; The Devices is the one I highly recommend for anyone looking on in HA or CI.

Thanks Boult. I appreciate your pointing that out. Sometimes these links are outdated and sometimes I browse through them to quickly. I'ts like anything on the internet. You gotta take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Ivan's Dad]

Another Parent Struggling with Coclear Decision

My son was born shortly before the manditory hearing screening to newborns was implemented here. We discovered his severe/profound hearing loss when he was 18 months. He is almost 3 now and loves his hearing aids. He has speech training once a weeks and we work with him to encourage his verbal skills. We are all learning ASL together and our communication is improving quickly however he is not using any spoken words.

We have gotten the confirmation from the cochlear implant team that he is indeed a candidate.

The questions that I have are as hard to pose as they are hard to answer and the lack of unbiased information is upsetting.

Today I spoke with a specialist with the coclear implant team who told me that all children who recieve an implant learn to speak. Another person said "all hearing parents when told their deaf children can have an implant always choose the implant".

Can this possibly true? Are all the negative aspects of this decision just made up? If it is true why do I feel so much apprehension towards the implant.

This forum is an excellent source that I have only started to read and will spend more time tonight digging into.

 

[Cloggy]

..............
Today I spoke with a specialist with the coclear implant team who told me that all children who recieve an implant learn to speak. Another person said "all hearing parents when told their deaf children can have an implant always choose the implant".

Can this possibly true? Are all the negative aspects of this decision just made up? If it is true why do I feel so much apprehension towards the implant.

This forum is an excellent source that I have only started to read and will spend more time tonight digging into.

Welcome to alldeaf.
I think in both sentences it would be good to replace "all" with "most". That would at least bring you in a better view of things.
Myself, I have a daughter thatwas born deaf, tried HA's (which she has no use of) and learned sign before we finally got the OK for CI-operation. She got bi-lateral at age 2-1/4.

We are a family that said "yes" to CI, and our daugther is one of the many that learnes to talk.
You could be feeling that you have lost time, since your son is allready three. This is not the case. Your son has learned to communicate and this is a wonderful gift, and will be of great benefit if you would decide to go for a CI.
We have noticed it with our daughter. Knowing sign made sure that when she started to hear, she would not lose communication. At all time would she be able to express what she wanted to.
We were recommended to stop sign language, but felt this was not the way to go. It worked well. She herself does not use sign any more. She will use her voice. Even when her CI's are off. She's comfortable with her CI's and without...

You can have a look at the blog I made for her....

And start asking question. MAke a new topic for yourself so that you can keep all the infor together.
I did that as well ("Experiences with my daughter") here on AllDeaf... before I started the blog. It's a good way to order thoughts.

 

[shel90]

I disagree with you there Cloggy, because the child will know once he nor she grow up, when they socializing with Deaf people, That's means this child would never know it's Deaf Culture. Sign language is widely used by the Deaf. How would that child feels? I'm sure devastating, because one, doesn't know anything about the Deaf Culture or sign language because Parents wouldn't taught the child either, only speech. Learning speech or focus on speech is not meant to replace American Sign Language, Why can't parents teach both?

My feelings exactly...I cant say this enough. I see too many kids at my school who come to school starving for communication cuz they cant communicate well with their families at home. Also, their language development becomes significantly delayed.

I wish my parents learned ASL cuz I had to work so hard to catch everything they say. My deaf brother gave up by the time he reached his teens. He avoids family gatherings cuz he gets so bored since nobody signs and he is always left out. Now, that I know ASL, I finally understood why he felt that way. ASL is so much easier for us to communicate in.

 

[kayla123]

My son was born shortly before the manditory hearing screening to newborns was implemented here. We discovered his severe/profound hearing loss when he was 18 months. He is almost 3 now and loves his hearing aids. He has speech training once a weeks and we work with him to encourage his verbal skills. We are all learning ASL together and our communication is improving quickly however he is not using any spoken words.

We have gotten the confirmation from the cochlear implant team that he is indeed a candidate.

The questions that I have are as hard to pose as they are hard to answer and the lack of unbiased information is upsetting.

Today I spoke with a specialist with the coclear implant team who told me that all children who recieve an implant learn to speak. Another person said "all hearing parents when told their deaf children can have an implant always choose the implant".

Can this possibly true? Are all the negative aspects of this decision just made up? If it is true why do I feel so much apprehension towards the implant.

This forum is an excellent source that I have only started to read and will spend more time tonight digging into.

Hi and welcome! My daughter was also born right before the infant screening became mandatory. Two weeks before to be exact. She was born December 14 2000 in Illinois, it became mandatory in January 2001. We discovered she had a profound loss around her first birthday and was immediately fitted with hearing aids but did not benefit. She got her Cochlear implant at the age of 2. It's never an easy decision for a parent to choose surgery for their child. At first i was against surgery but i chose to implant her after doing alot of research on the CI. I'm very happy with the decision i made, it has worked out great for Kayla. She is now a very happy and talkative 6 year old who is in an all hearing kindergarten and loves it. Only you know what is best for your child, and whatever decision you make will be the right one. Do all the research you can do. After talking to several ENT's and Audiologists, i also talked to parents who had their children implanted which seemed to help alot. I got the numbers from the AV therapist and the surgeon that did Kaylas surgery. Parents of kids with CI's are more then willing to help out any way they can because they know, they've been in your shoes and know your fears. Feel free to IM me anytime with any questions.

 

[R2D2]

My son was born shortly before the manditory hearing screening to newborns was implemented here. We discovered his severe/profound hearing loss when he was 18 months. He is almost 3 now and loves his hearing aids. He has speech training once a weeks and we work with him to encourage his verbal skills. We are all learning ASL together and our communication is improving quickly however he is not using any spoken words.

We have gotten the confirmation from the cochlear implant team that he is indeed a candidate.

The questions that I have are as hard to pose as they are hard to answer and the lack of unbiased information is upsetting.

Today I spoke with a specialist with the coclear implant team who told me that all children who recieve an implant learn to speak. Another person said "all hearing parents when told their deaf children can have an implant always choose the implant".

Can this possibly true? Are all the negative aspects of this decision just made up? If it is true why do I feel so much apprehension towards the implant.

This forum is an excellent source that I have only started to read and will spend more time tonight digging into.

Welcome!

My sister who is hearing has a profoundly deaf son and she chose not to get a CI for him but rather pursue the exclusive signing route. They tried speech therapy but gave up as his hearing loss was very profound and he got little benefit from his aids. Now this was 14 years ago and things have moved on since then so I'm not sure if she would make the same decision today.

However he has a reasonably happy life. He is intelligent and doing well at his residential deaf school however there is considerable anxiety over his future once he leaves school. He cannot lipread at all and much prefers to be in a deaf environment otherwise his stress levels will increase.

So yes there are some hearing parents who choose not to implant and it is a choice you have as a parent. You might want to talk to Jillio who posts here sometimes who also pursued a sign only route years ago. There are also parents here who got their children a CI but who also sign.

I was born deaf and got a CI for myself in adult life but then I learned to talk from the time I was 3 as I was able to benefit from aids. We are all different as deaf people and have different preferences. I don't think you can go too far wrong if you are a loving and supportive parent whichever route you go for.

 

[Victorias mom]

I don't think you can go too far wrong if you are a loving and supportive parent whichever route you go for.

Good statement! I have to say that R2D2 is one of the fairest people on this site...one of the most considerate too! I think she truly gives good advice, and is fair to both sides.

Thanks

 

[R2D2]

Good statement! I have to say that R2D2 is one of the fairest people on this site...one of the most considerate too! I think she truly gives good advice, and is fair to both sides.

Thanks

Awww shucks! :Oops: There are lots of others here who I admire as having those qualities too but that's a nice compliment!

 

[rockdrummer]

Awww shucks! :Oops: There are lots of others here who I admire as having those qualities too but that's a nice compliment!

I am just hopeful that the great information shared here has helped others with what is a difficult and contraversial decision. Especially when it comes to children. I am also very greatful that this thread has not vered off course into a CI debate... Thanks to all of you for your valuable insight..

 

[Victorias mom]

Awww shucks! :Oops: There are lots of others here who I admire as having those qualities too but that's a nice compliment!

You are right, there are others too. Thanks to all of you for being so open minded, especially towards the hearing parents.

 

[Lillys dad]

I second that. R2 is a good source of info.

 

[ashleysmommy]

I have a question for all those that think some of us as parents have made bad decisions to have our children implanted with CI. For those of you that do not know me I have a 16 month old preemie that has had a profound hearing loss in both ears from birth. She gets nothing from HA's. We have tested her over and over with and with out amplification and she gets nothing. We (her dad and I) have struggled with our decision to have our daughter Ashley implanted. I wanted to be absolutely sure this was the best thing for her. I wanted to know that there was no other way available to us for her to hear. We then made the decision to go ahead with the process. We have been doing this for a year. It was not a decision we took lightly. I am getting to my question but wanted to give you some background on MY situation. When Ashley was born we were told she only had a 20% chance to make it. They warned us of any and all possibilities of disabilities she could face. They asked us if we wanted them to resusatate (excuse the spelling) her at birth. We did not hesitate this was our baby girl and I wanted her to have every chance at life. We found out at 2 months old she was developing ROP and required eye surgery that could save her vision. This surgery worked for a month and her condition worsened. We then required a lens sparing surgery to keep her retinas from detaching. Thank GOD this stabilized for now. She then at about 8 months old developed Glaucoma in both eyes due to the lens surgery. She has had 3 surgeries to get her eye pressures under control. This also is now stable. I had to consent to these surgeries for my daughter to save her vision so she would not go blind. Does this make me a bad parent because I decided to save my daughters vision instead of accepting her as blind? It is the same to me. Hearing, Blind it doesnt matter we as parents have the responsibility to make decision for our children until they are able to make them for themselves. We do what we feel is the best for our children. Not your or any one else's children but our own. I know I will be explaining a lot to Ashley when she is old enough to understand. Like how she is even here. She is my miracle and I thank GOD for her every day and I am going to fight with everything I have in me to make sure she has every possibility to live a happy and full life. What ever it may hold for her. Like I said does this make me a bad parent?

 

[Cheri]

ashleysmommy,

I never stated that you made a bad decision for your child, or is a bad mother. I just don't agree with going ahead with cochlear implant without involves the child in the decision, that's all.

When you stated that you want your child to live a happy and full life, so you're saying being deaf wouldn't be able to live a happy and full life? Who ever says life was easy for anyone? Life is not easy for anyone even those who can hear, even those who have cochlear implants, even those who are blind, even anyone.

The problem is with hearing parents, they want their child to grow up like them, being hearing, it's like you're not accepting the fact that your child is different than you, your child was born deaf, or lost some hearings in their early age, seems like hearing parents thinking of the worse for their child, because the child is deaf, and thinks life would be a failure for their child. I don't even think hearing parents wants to learn any other communication with their deaf child expect finding an easy way out is getting a cochlear implant. I know for matter of fact, 90% of families with a deaf child, has no knowledge of or experience with deafness. Hearing families produced a child, and finding out the child is deaf, so they decide to change the child to be someone else. That's what turns me off the most. Sure, I've heard them all say "I want what's best for my child" What's best anyways? Do we all parents know what's best for our child, do we make best decisions? I don't know either do you guys know.

I don't believe hearing parents would believe that being deaf can successfully in life, thinking all this negatives that they wouldn't successfully well in life. It's not true and it would never be true. If you believe in fighting for your child's happiness, then bring your child up happy, that doesn't mean go ahead with cochlear implant. But, whatever like I said, it's not my child, there's nothing I can do about it. You made your choice, your decision based on what you think would be best for your own child, if cochlear implant is the answer, then let it be. It's out of my hands.

 

[ashleysmommy]

I said happy and full life WHAT EVER THAT Holds FOR HER. There are no guarantees that the Ci will work for her. I will love my daughter no matter how this turns out. Being blind or deaf does not mean you can't have a happy full life. I know that life is what you make of it. I have nothing against my child being deaf or if she goes blind ( which is still a possibility). I will give her the same love and support that I do now. I was not singling out one person in my question. There have been many discouraging remarks made. I don't mean that those opinions are wrong I just mean for me they are are discouraging. I know in my heart i have made the right choice for Ashley If when she gets older and decides that maybe I didn't we will deal with that then. I am not trying to fix my daughter. I have accepted the fact she is deaf. I have a chance to help her hear. I took that chance. I have many friends and family that all have either blindness, deafness, hoh, and other things in their lives. It's like a friend told me "We have dealt with the life threatening now lets deal with the life altering." I had a hard time when I learned that Ashley could not hear. I accepted it but still had a hard time with it. I understand where you are coming from. I do. I just want people in general to try to understand where I am coming from. You don't have to agree just try to understand. I am not saying that you don't understand. Let me say that up front. All I came here for was advice and suggestions for me and my daughter and got more than I bargained for. Thank you. I appreciate and respect your opinion.

 

[ashleysmommy]

Ashley is learning sign. It has been fun. Some of her signs are not exactly what they should be but for her they work. She also get assistance from our local deaf-blind association. She will know both worlds. I think it is important for her to know both. There are a whole lot of very successful deaf people and I know Ashley will also be a success at what ever she puts her mind to(hearing or not). I guess all that matters is that our children have loving and supportive families that are there for them to cheer them on and encourage them through life. Being deaf is not a negative it is something that we can learn and grow from to make us stronger.

 

[LuciaDisturbed]

I have a question for all those that think some of us as parents have made bad decisions to have our children implanted with CI. For those of you that do not know me I have a 16 month old preemie that has had a profound hearing loss in both ears from birth. She gets nothing from HA's. We have tested her over and over with and with out amplification and she gets nothing. We (her dad and I) have struggled with our decision to have our daughter Ashley implanted. I wanted to be absolutely sure this was the best thing for her. I wanted to know that there was no other way available to us for her to hear. We then made the decision to go ahead with the process. We have been doing this for a year. It was not a decision we took lightly. I am getting to my question but wanted to give you some background on MY situation. When Ashley was born we were told she only had a 20% chance to make it. They warned us of any and all possibilities of disabilities she could face. They asked us if we wanted them to resusatate (excuse the spelling) her at birth. We did not hesitate this was our baby girl and I wanted her to have every chance at life. We found out at 2 months old she was developing ROP and required eye surgery that could save her vision. This surgery worked for a month and her condition worsened. We then required a lens sparing surgery to keep her retinas from detaching. Thank GOD this stabilized for now. She then at about 8 months old developed Glaucoma in both eyes due to the lens surgery. She has had 3 surgeries to get her eye pressures under control. This also is now stable. I had to consent to these surgeries for my daughter to save her vision so she would not go blind. Does this make me a bad parent because I decided to save my daughters vision instead of accepting her as blind? It is the same to me. Hearing, Blind it doesnt matter we as parents have the responsibility to make decision for our children until they are able to make them for themselves. We do what we feel is the best for our children. Not your or any one else's children but our own. I know I will be explaining a lot to Ashley when she is old enough to understand. Like how she is even here. She is my miracle and I thank GOD for her every day and I am going to fight with everything I have in me to make sure she has every possibility to live a happy and full life. What ever it may hold for her. Like I said does this make me a bad parent?

Ashleysmommy, I think you are doing a great job with your daughter, you are doing just wonderful and fine with her!