cochlear implants

[Audiofuzzy]

I agree with you that it does help the child access sound, and for some, it does help them to develop oral skills, both receptive and expressive. However, I still beleive that hearing is not necessary to access all of life's possibilities. And that was really the point of my question.

If you think hearing is not neccessary and being deaf is such a hoot, why don't you bust your own ears?

we'll see how quickly you will "well adjust" and "feel happy being deaf".

Fuzzy

 

[shel90]

If you think hearing is not neccessary and being deaf is such a hoot, why don't you bust your own ears?

we'll see how quickly you will "well adjust" and "feel happy being deaf".

Fuzzy

Some people are happy being deaf while some are not.

 

[rick48]

Some people are happy being deaf while some are not.

Ageed, and some deaf people are happy that they can access sounds and speech. I guess the point is that every person is unique and an individual and instead of constantly attacking those who chose a different path for either themselves or for their child, just accept the fact that, like every other community, there is a diversity of opinions in the deaf community and move on.

And just to be clear, Shel, I am NOT referring to you as someone who attacks those with a different point of view.

 

[jillio]

If you think hearing is not neccessary and being deaf is such a hoot, why don't you bust your own ears?

we'll see how quickly you will "well adjust" and "feel happy being deaf".

Fuzzy

Since I am already fluent is ASL, and my home is already set up with all sorts of accommodations, and I have many friends within the deaf community, I don't see that my becoming deaf would be a tragedy. I would need to adjust, of course. But I already have the skills necessary to do that, as well as a home that is deaf oriented.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Since I am already fluent is ASL, and my home is already set up with all sorts of accommodations, and I have many friends within the deaf community, I don't see that my becoming deaf would be a tragedy. I would need to adjust, of course. But I already have the skills necessary to do that, as well as a home that is deaf oriented

.


But that's not the point. The point is, when all is said and done, the best option in life is to be simply healthy. This means to have all the senses intact as well.
You have no idea what is like to be hearing imapired, so you can only imagine what's life being deaf or blind or whatever. You only THINK it's a matter of "adjusting".

Sure deaf people can be happy as they are. They got to be, otherwise it's exercise in eternal frustration. But really everyobody would preffer to be born normal in every way.

People if forced can survive without hands and legs with just a torso.
see a movie "Freaks" which is perfect example that any handicapp is possible to overcome. does that mean we should forfeit all devices because it's possible for a man to live without any?

However, I still beleive that hearing is not necessary to access all of life's possibilities. And that was really the point of my question.

No, from such point of view hearing is not neccessary to live. So are not hands or legs or sight or anything else. Paraplegics and quadriplegics lead successful and fulfilled life as well.

The real question is, is hearing helping to access all life's possibilities BETTER?
EASIER? Less stressful on the individual? and if yes, why not provide it the best way there is?


Fuzzy

 

[highlands]

Since I am already fluent is ASL, and my home is already set up with all sorts of accommodations, and I have many friends within the deaf community, I don't see that my becoming deaf would be a tragedy. I would need to adjust, of course. But I already have the skills necessary to do that, as well as a home that is deaf oriented.

You can never guess how depressive it would be to become late deafened !!!! You haven't experienced how painful it is !!!! I have

 

[rick48]

.


But that's not the point. The point is, when all is said and done, the best option in life is to be simply healthy. This means to have all the senses intact as well.
You have no idea what is like to be hearing imapired, so you can only imagine what's life being deaf or blind or whatever. You only THINK it's a matter of "adjusting".

Sure deaf people can be happy as they are. They got to be, otherwise it's exercise in eternal frustration. But really everyobody would preffer to be born normal in every way.

People if forced can survive without hands and legs with just a torso.
see a movie "Freaks" which is perfect example that any handicapp is possible to overcome. does that mean we should forfeit all devices because it's possible for a man to live without any?



No, from such point of view hearing is not neccessary to live. So are not hands or legs or sight or anything else. Paraplegics and quadriplegics lead successful and fulfilled life as well.

The real question is, is hearing helping to access all life's possibilities BETTER?
EASIER? Less stressful on the individual? and if yes, why not provide it the best way there is?


Fuzzy

Fuzzy,

I agree with you. There is a very simple question often asked but never answered: what is wrong with being able to hear?

If there is nothing wrong with it as Fuzzy states then why not provide it the best way there is for those individuals who do not benefit from HAs?

 

[jag]

Fuzzy,

I agree with you. There is a very simple question often asked but never answered: what is wrong with being able to hear?

If there is nothing wrong with it as Fuzzy states then why not provide it the best way there is for those individuals who do not benefit from HAs?

I was listening to my mp3 the other night while working, while someone who has not had access to sound in any meaningful way (through their HA's) might not miss the tinkling of the notes on the piano or the rifts (is that the right word?) on the guitar I was in heaven. The CI makes music sound great my HA's had been at the point for years where I hated listening to that noise. I grew up in a home where my dad played alot of music, back then I didn't really like the classical records, you know bach and Betoven (sp?) Now I enjoy listening to most music. Hard rock still isn't one of my perferences tho. But the point is that one doesn't know what one is missing but the sound of music is one thing that kids with Ci can learn to enjoy and I think that's wonderful for them. Speech is not the only benefit from CI's.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Some of my friends who work in the public schools with deaf/hh kids have shared stories how the implanted kids refuse to interact with the deaf signers simply because they dont want the hearing kids to know that they are deaf. If that is true that is happening in the mainstreamed programs, then is there a new generation of deaf kids who look down on deaf signers? I used to be like that and it is just really sad that being able to "hear" and talk is superior to signing. It just made my stomach turn when I was told that. Now, it seems like deaf kids who are oral, along with hearing kids are shunning the deaf kids who werent able to develop oral skills in the public schools

Shel, I decided to move it here and comment on this because this is highly interesting, definitely worth discussing. I hope you don't mind.

Yes, I've heard of that, and no I hope it's not that (new generation).
I believe this stems from the low-esteem and insecurity of the child as a deaf person. That in turn could only be the outcome of the way the child is being raised, the enviroment he is growing up in.

If the child has strong self- esteem, emotional support, (and it's parents' job to raise an emotionally strong child), such issue should not exist or would be passing matter.

Now, I would like to remind you the opposite is also true, easily observed on this very board- there are also deaf people who shunns the CI implantees. Since the children are a little mirrors of their parents, it's more than likely that there are deaf children who look down upon the implanted kids, too.

Once again, IMO, it's not the CI at the centre of this controversy - it's the matter of personal viewpoint on the subject of deafness, and the emotional state of the implanted child.



Fuzzy

 

[Audiofuzzy]

But the point is that one doesn't know what one is missing but the sound of music is one thing that kids with Ci can learn to enjoy and I think that's wonderful for them. Speech is not the only benefit from CI's

Excellent point. Yes listening to the music, while it's not neccessary to survive, is a very pleasant, emotionally rewarding experience nevertheless. Music is known to calm the senses, to enerigize, to comfort.
Indeed why refuse such experience?

back then I didn't really like the classical records, you know bach and Betoven (sp?)

I am glad you can enjoy it now. I like some classical music too. And you weren't much mistaken - it's Bach and Beethoven. It's lovely music. Try Brahms, too. And Vivaldi.
Happy listening

Fuzzy

 

[dreama]

You can never guess how depressive it would be to become late deafened !!!! You haven't experienced how painful it is !!!! I have

I don't agree. I am also deaf. I was born with a 40 db loss which gradually deteriated. When I still had some hearing I was expected to use it so I think having no hearing is better.

I also think Jillo is entitled to her opions as a hearing person. I don't see anything wrong in her thinking she would cope well if deafened.

 

[dreama]

I agree with you that it does help the child access sound, and for some, it does help them to develop oral skills, both receptive and expressive. However, I still beleive that hearing is not necessary to access all of life's possibilities. And that was really the point of my question.

I totally agree!

 

[Audiofuzzy]

I was born with a 40 db loss which gradually deteriated

I respect your POV, but it is a little different to suddenly or even gradually lose hearing if you were most if your life normally hearing than to be born with some hearing loss and lose more later on.
Since you were born with hearing loss, you had to and had time to adjust since birth.

Fuzzy

 

[highlands]

I respect your POV, but it is a little different to suddenly or even gradually lose hearing if you were most if your life normally hearing than to be born with some hearing loss and lose more later on.
Since you were born with hearing loss, you had to and had time to adjust since birth.

Fuzzy

Thanks for the post.. I was raised hearing and lost hearing later as you clarify

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Thanks for the post.. I was raised hearing and lost hearing later as you clarify

Your welcome and thank you for your reply, too.
But from your former post I understand you were born with 40db loss?

I was also raised as hearing, and lost my hearing slowly. so I too had time to adjust to my situation very early.

Fuzzy

 

[highlands]

Your welcome and thank you for your reply, too.
But from your former post I understand you were born with 40db loss?

I was also raised as hearing, and lost my hearing slowly. so I too had time to adjust to my situation very early.

Fuzzy

That was Dreama who was born with 40 db loss.

I was born hearing and now I have bilateral 92 dbl loss

 

[jillio]

.


But that's not the point. The point is, when all is said and done, the best option in life is to be simply healthy. This means to have all the senses intact as well.
You have no idea what is like to be hearing imapired, so you can only imagine what's life being deaf or blind or whatever. You only THINK it's a matter of "adjusting".

Sure deaf people can be happy as they are. They got to be, otherwise it's exercise in eternal frustration. But really everyobody would preffer to be born normal in every way.

People if forced can survive without hands and legs with just a torso.
see a movie "Freaks" which is perfect example that any handicapp is possible to overcome. does that mean we should forfeit all devices because it's possible for a man to live without any?



No, from such point of view hearing is not neccessary to live. So are not hands or legs or sight or anything else. Paraplegics and quadriplegics lead successful and fulfilled life as well.

The real question is, is hearing helping to access all life's possibilities BETTER?
EASIER? Less stressful on the individual? and if yes, why not provide it the best way there is?


Fuzzy

I don't want to get into an argument of semantics here, but I don't see deafness as being "unhealthy". I tend to hold the view of deafness as a cultural and linguistic minority, rather than seeing deafness as pathology.

And I suppose EASIER would be subjective based on one's point of reference. How well one adjusts to any condition is dependent upon the coping skills one has, or is able to develop, to deal with the change. Therefore, loosing my hearing would not be as stressful on me as it would be on an individual that has no knowledge of the aqcommodations or of the language. Because of my experience with not just my son, but others, I already have coping skills in place that someone of different circumstances would not have.

So, when you asked me why I didn't "bust my ears" and then "see how happy I would be" I answered you from my personal view, not the view of anyone else. After all, the question was directed to me personally.

 

[jillio]

You can never guess how depressive it would be to become late deafened !!!! You haven't experienced how painful it is !!!! I have

Of couse its painful. I never implied that it wasn't. And of course you feel a sesne of loss. That is one of the main differences between the late deafened and the congenitally deafened, and their attitudes and values regarding their deafness.

However, I still believe that one who is late deafened and has the skills already in place to deal with that life change will be better equipped to deal with it than one who doesn't. That's all my post was saying.

 

[jillio]

I don't agree. I am also deaf. I was born with a 40 db loss which gradually deteriated. When I still had some hearing I was expected to use it so I think having no hearing is better.

I also think Jillo is entitled to her opions as a hearing person. I don't see anything wrong in her thinking she would cope well if deafened.

Thank you, dreama. I agree that it would be a life changing experience, but I simply don't see that it would be a tragedy. But that's just for me.

 

[sr171soars]

... However, I still believe that hearing is not necessary to access all of life's possibilities....

Really...eh? The field is never, never a level playing field between one with only four senses compared to one with five senses. All of life's possibilities?!? I don't think so and I know for a fact it is not so. Been there and done that. With my CI, my world has opened up in ways that is unbelievable but for all that...I know my limitations and I'm comfortable with what and who I am. I will not claim that the playing field is level and that I can experience "all of life's possibilities". Believe me, I push the envelop pretty far...

It is one thing to accept one's lot in life and be content. If one does that, it is a fine thing indeed. But that doesn't imply a level playing field simply based on such thinking. One who thinks that is deluding one's self big time.

It is much better to realize one's limitations and go from that point. It is amazing what one can accomplish that way. It is one thing to state that hearing "per se" isn't necessary but another to claim that the playing field is level while lacking some or all hearing.