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We have reached a contradictory moment in history. Not only has technology advanced to the degree it has in medical treatment of deafness, it has also advanced to the point that deaf people are given a "vioce" through text pagers, email, interpreters video relay, etc. Communication is earsier than it ever has been at this point. Also, a growing number of universities and colleges are offering degrees in Deaf Studies and interpreting. At no other time in history has the study of ASL been as widespread as it is today. So while medical tecnology is advancing, we are also seeing advances that makes it much easier for the deaf to live and communicate without the medical technology available. If one chooses to not take advantage of the CI, or in the future, any other technology designed to "cure" deafness, one has more options for communication available than ever before. There will always be those individuals that are not benefitted from the medical advances. So, no, I don't see ASL disappearing.
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