How cochlear implants are changing the landscape for deaf people
...that was the message in the Guardian's recent article about cochlear implants.
Every year, about 800 children are born with different degrees of deafness in the UK; a much smaller number lose their hearing through other causes such as meningitis.
But the article reported that last year more than 300 children had implants - with the number going up fast. CIs mean that fewer children are learning sign language from necessity because they get access to sound, and according to NICE, the implant operation and post-operative support is cheaper than the cost of support for a non-implanted deaf child.
The British Association of Teachers of the Deaf reports that 'over half the profoundly deaf children beginning school have a cochlear implant and in some educational settings the numbers of children with implants outnumber those with hearing aids'.
On quoting the statement, Guardian reporter Charles Arthur concludes, "A reminder, if ever you needed it, that technology can have profound social effects."
Comments
First of all, I'd like to compliment you on your beautiful blog. The colors and everything. Very classy. Um-- I'm of two minds-- and forgive me because I'm late-deafened. First of all, I think it's wonderful that deaf children can be given the gift of sound and grow up participating in family events. On the other hand, I feel it's sad they aren't learning sign language anymore. I know many late-deafened people with implants, who speak well and hear OK, but you know it's not the same as having perfect hearing-- and there are often times when the CI malfuctions or you're sick and spending the day in bed. I believe children need some way of communicating when they aren't hooked up to their implants.
Also, there are those who cannot have implants. With the sign-language Deaf community shrinking so much I worry that those left behind may become extremely isolated. I know, I know-- not your concern-- but I just feel it's wrong somehow. And yet-- I am happy for those who get the implants and do well with them.
Posted by: kim | October 17, 2008 01:33 PM
I'm currently learning BSL at Level 3 and I'm about to do a presentation for an exam regarding cochlear implants. Its a very emotive and controversial issue and I thought your views were spot on.
I think each case has to be taken on an individual basis, but think that its still vitally important for a deaf child to learn to sign. There may be problems with the implant in the future and like you noted, when the implant is removed the child is still deaf.
Posted by: liz | October 20, 2008 09:15 PM
Hi My Name is Nidia Mendez, I am from Colombia, but I am living in Washington DC 2 months ago, I came here as an au pair (baby sitter) looking for some help for my nephew, he is 6 years old and he lost his hearing when he was one and half years old, after almost a year, he had a surgery of cochlear implant, but it didnt work because it was too late and the cochlea got hard, so the electrodes wasnt working properly, he has been in speech therapy, but at this time he can not say anything,he already lost the auditory memory.
Last week he had some hearing tests and the doctors said he needs another kind of cochlear implant (tallo implant), but it is not available in South America.
I will be very thankful if you could help me with some information of any hospital here in USA.
Thank you so much
Have a nice day
NIDIA MENDEZ
Posted by: Nidia Mendez | October 31, 2008 11:37 PM