Originally Posted by beetarehoh

Drew's Dad

You've made your point: You decide for your child to have CI. And you will have to deal whatever the future consequences that may come. And who knows WHEN your child becomes an adult he will understand why you decide it.

I want to warn you: I believe that this point any child and adults having CI implants can NEVER meet the fluent and smooth socializing with hearing world. In the hearing group setting a CI implanted child cannot compete within verbal language. Children with CI may become isolated from a hearing group setting. Although they do very well with one on one. Maybe you dont mind repeating to your child what everybody in the group setting is laughing about. That would be hard to keep up for your child. I may be wrong: anyone here at AD can verbally fluent and compete well in the hearing group setting?????? Please reply

Deaf people learned ASL fluently and quickly than learning verbal. They feel comfortable because its their native language and very clear to communicate.

Thats good that you want your child to hear "ch" or "sh" or the bird tweeting. Friends that I met had CI still couldnt even tell which one is "ch" or "sh" and could tell when the bird is tweeting LOUD. A hearing adult once said "Peanut Brittle" and a deaf adult with CI since young thought the hearing person said "Penis Brittle" So Dad, I sure hope your son can really pick up the "Peanut Brittle."

I am hard of hearing with average of 75 db. I dont need CI but I wear hearing aides. I believe they function just about the same as CI but only sends signals to the brain first instead of the ear first. I rather sign because ASL is a very clear communication. My kids are also hard of hearing: they will wear hearing aides and they will get the best of BOTH world: hearing and deaf. So good luck with your son.

beetarehoh

PS And if my child is profoundly deaf I will not decide to put CI on MY child. Read my other post about a 6 year old CI implant.