Cheri

Thank you FlyFree!

__________________
Avoid being a victim of a stroke, a stroke can happen to anyone at anytime. You will never know how devastating this could be until you had live through it. It affects everybody. So Support Stroke Awareness to find a cure and hope.

Deafness

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

Fly Free

also someone here has mentioned "doctors trying to play God" (paraphrasing as i dont recall word for word cuz i dont remmy WHO it was that mentioned that in the first place) but anyhow -- i DO agree with that person and i personally think its VERY wrong of the doctors and the parents trying to play God and make a deaf child "hearing" to conform to THEIR specificiations qq i think not -- let the child grow older a bit and the child can be included in this decision making -- i dont see how it would harm anything with an older child making his/her decision wanting CI implanted AFTER having done the research, talking with other peers, etc etc and be involved with the decision, in process of implantation and the after process of hearing training, speech training and all that jibe associated with CI implantation -- if the child feels he/she doesnt need CI then the parents should be glad the child chose not to and save the parent's money

now ref to someone here discussing abt health care insurance policies -- i personally think its VERY discriminative of the insurance companies to NOT cover hearing aid/batteries and yet COVER for the invasive surgery!!!!!!!! how dumb are they qq we pay SO much in healthcare and they want the MOST expensive procedure done qq good gawd! if a hearing aid works fine for the child and the child chooses a hearing aid over a CI implantation then so be it! let the child have the hearing aid and it being valued at maybe $2k per hearing aid as opposed to wasting $25k and possibly MORE in the after care and possible future re-surgery to "upgrade" the child when i think its pure BULLSHIT!

__________________
Enjoying life!

Cheri

Facts About Cochlear Implants.....


(Environmental & practical living issues )
static: radar detector, playgrounds, trampolines, computers, carpeting
pressure: some recommended restrictions such as scuba diving
magnetic: suggested MRI restriction
trauma: some restrictions from rough sports such as football
(Surgical issues )
staph infection (low risk)
vertigo (low risk)
tinnitus, may get worse or improve (low risk)
partial facial nerve paralysis (low risk and if occurs, is typically temporary)
competency of surgeon
if complications, then travel time/cost enter the equation for follow-up care
Insurance and cost issues:
if inadequate insurance, medical costs and device are expensive
processor and accessories are expensive
securing approval from health policy may be time-consuming and aggravating
Less control over prosthetic device, i.e., once a manufacturer’s device is implanted, the implantee has no option but to remain with that device for life, unless the device fails or the implantee elects to pay for another surgery/device.
Loud buzzing sound when implant user is within close proximity to neon lights; interferes with speech signal
Programming issues: dependent on mapper/audiologist
travel and time costs if mapper is not in child’s area
mapping session is time-consuming, boring, and can be expensive
should be re-programmed annually (more often for young children)
programming is not always easy, especially for establishing the comfort levels
changing from one program to another oftentimes involves a temporary setback in one’s discrimination
adapting to a change in strategies is difficult for many people
Wearing a body processor is more problematic than a BTE processor/hearing aid
interferes in the romance department
may be difficult for women when using the bathroom
gets in the way of clothing for many women and may require a different wardrobe
cable wire (cord) sometimes falls off
bodily leaning against something may cause one of the setting controls to move (However, by the end of the year 2001, it is expected that all implant manufacturers will have BTE processors available.)
Processor battery gives no warning that it will "go dead" and may place the implantee in the uncomfortable position of suddenly not being able to hear while engaged in conversation (although the option of having a warning that is audible to everyone within earshot is available, this is not a viable choice for most teens and adults)
Batteries have a dramatically shorter life span than do hearing aid batteries; this can be very inconvenient and more expensive.
If and when the device fails, the implantee may go through a prolonged period of emotional anguish due to not hearing/understanding, at least until the insurance company approves another surgery. Then, after surgical re-implantation, the implantee must go through another month of silence between time of surgery and initial stimulation.
Because residual hearing is typically destroyed upon implantation, the difference between hearing and not hearing (due to device not being used) becomes dramatic; this is "a black‘n’white issue" unless implantee has either another implant or hearing aid in the other ear.
If and when the stimulator (the internal part of device) fails or is damaged, then another surgery may be mandated; each successive surgery carries the additional risk of the electrodes not working as well as before.
Low frequency consonant discrimination for placement cues may be more difficult
We still don’t know the long-term effects of implants, i.e., 30-50 years, and implants may cause bone growth and scarring inside the cochlea.
*can a baby and Young Child handled that?*


Facts about Hearing Aids.....


Greater control over the prosthetic device:
can try different hearing aids to see which is qualitatively preferred, so that user can conceivably purchase a new device every couple of years
can take advantage of new technology as it becomes available (improved earmolds, tubing, telecoils, digital/analog programming strategies)
Greater affordability:
can have a back-up hearing aid (older model) for times when device malfunctions
can afford to buy new device every few years
cost of accessories are minimal
Greater flexibility & accessibility for repairs:
can use hearing aid dispenser or audiologist in just about any neighborhood
can adjust controls on some personal device
Easier maintenance (once the earmold issues are minimized)
visit audiologist/hearing aid dispenser only when the aid malfunctions, which may be rarely or until a new hearing aid is needed/wanted
can easily change the tubing at home
Battery gives a few hours warning that it is "dying" with sufficient time to change batteries at a more convenient time/place.
Retain residual hearing for later optimal hearing aid technology
For those with severe hearing loss, may be greater ease in discriminating of low frequency sounds, e.gs., /m/, /ee/ and may better enjoy bass sounds of music
With an aided severe hearing loss, understanding men on the telephone may be easier as compared to understanding them with a cochlear implant
Hearing aids don’t "mess" with the body’s biology to quite the degree that cochlear implants do; e.g., hearing aids won’t cause scarring or bony growth inside the cochlea.

Limited hearing assistance in high frequency range
Earmolds and their acoustic feedback issues may be repetitive, time-consuming, aggravating
Loud noises are bothersome for those using linear amplification
Hearing aids for those with severe loss need to be fitted carefully, assertively, and well-monitored; securing the appropriate audiologist to accomplish aided thresholds that provide ease in "access to conversational sound" may be difficult in some locations....

*Can a baby or a young Child handled that?*


You Decide what best for your child what are the right Choices... If you think Ci is best for you baby/Child And willing to go full 9 yards then good luck...But Still I believed The Child should make that Choice.. In my heart in my mind..

__________________
Avoid being a victim of a stroke, a stroke can happen to anyone at anytime. You will never know how devastating this could be until you had live through it. It affects everybody. So Support Stroke Awareness to find a cure and hope.

Loopalooza

Ha ha ha. You all make me laugh so hard.

You would without a heartbeat operate so a kid would walk again. I.e. metal in leg, or some operation to make it so that kid would have a near-normal life.
Yet you won't do CI because you all base on hearsay or some rumors you hear from people around (or even here!)

What I find funny is you have no real apparent experience with a kid with CI on YOUR OWN. I have with quite a few CI kids and they are the happiest you can ever see. Of course rthere are a few failures out there. There are always failures with everything you try in life. The important thing is you try. If you never take risks or try, you will miss out. People who do not take risks for the better or the good will never get far in life, FYI.

Some of you -- your thoughts are messed up by your own motivations -- "My kid is deaf, so he/she should be fine without CI. Why bother with all the so and so problems (fake or imagined)?"

You're forgetting the world out there is what your kid needs to go up into and advance in with the least problems. Yes he/she can still learn ASL! There's nothing stopping that!

Tsk.

I agree with all who agree that children need to be implanted as early as possible. I have experienced a lot of them firsthand and can actually understand the reasoning why. And fact/experience has proven it to be true.
Those of you who seem to think it's up to the child apparently have the wrong idea about parenting. But of course, it's up to the parents to do what they want to the child.. HOWEVER YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FUTURE! So think on that.

VamPyroX

Let's make everyone get CIs! Let's end the deaf race!

__________________
Check out my city... CLICK HERE!
(If you've already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

CatoCooper13

It really depends on the situation -- in some cases, it would be in the child's best interests by having them receive a cochlear implant at an early age due to belief and evidence that best chances in having a high level of comphrension of speech and auditory recognisation....but some will not until they're old enough to decide for themselves whether they want one or not.

__________________

Opal

I could not believe seeing some comments from parents saying "I rather to wait till my child is at least 7 to understand first before receiving CI"

The naked truth is that toddlers and little children don't really know fully, and idiot parents believe their children knows better than them!!! 7 years old child is not expert, only PARENTS! (except a few!!)

There are lots of things are too COMPILCATED to explain to small children.

I support the decision of parents that make the choice for their offsprings, because these kids are not my responsible, only theirs, and I am not force them to follow my belief. Same with catholic and protestant against each other, like CI vs Hearing Aids, its the world we live in and everyone has different opinions.

I don't know about USA's but in Australia laws, its NOT compulsory to give our babies childhood immunizations for Diptheria/Tetarus/Pertussis/polio vaccine and Meales & Mumps and later Rubella vaccine, because its up to parents, and these makes non-immunization children suffer and miss out alot from school once the chickenpox is outbreak and he/she will be forced to stay home! I signed the form understanding that I am prepared to take the RISK to give my babies jabs knowing it can cause brain damaged and even death, as its very very low risk. The Australian Government try to encourage parents to give their children immunizations, and by the time they are 18 months old, they will cut off some of child support payments if they object immunization!! The sensible parents willing the risk to give their children jabs will receive bonus payments from the Government!!

Again its Parent's choice, end of story!!

__________________
(\ (\
(=' x')
(,('')('')

ideafspy

I read all your comment about the facts. Well thing has recent changed and they explained me last summer in various just like you have in my mind when I was talking about get cochlear implant.

The cochlea don't normal get bone but they (the doctor) should not give a child or person get cochlear implant who has cochlea grown with bone.

(Environmental & practical living issues )
The static thing has improve but there are one brand have not upgrade due the static upcoming (nucleus). Beside; they are working on that static things. About the computer, it not always happen but several just happen depend on what you wear. About the radar detector will not damanged anything but it will erase the information on the BTE. They give you two things: BWP and BTE due the radar detector at airport sometime they force you to walk thru even you have the ID due the high secuity.

About the pressure such a driver should not be a problem at less if you don't swim over 100 ft deeper (Suggust not get it if you love drive with scuba diving)

About the magnetic will not hurt your head or anything. It will just possible damaged their machine or image will not appear correction. Right now they are able MRI on all cochlear implant after Sept 2003 but require to take the magnetic off.

I don't normally agreed who invloved with football while have cochlear implant. I would freak out if someone hit my head and will shout "TIME OUT! IS MY HEAD OKAY?! (CHECKING) It not worth it for your team lost the game.

(Surgical issues )
All those are true expect:
partial facial nerve paralysis came from implant made that happen due high electric. If the cochlear implant failure and they are responible is surgery but not device due 10 years warranty. About the battries for cochlear implant has changed. It used to be 4 hours and now increase to 8 hours which enough for me. It require replacement every 3 years (after Sept 2003). The surger has improve due new project recent release. About the old model that I cannot answer because I heard they are made different than present can be not good news. I believe better surgery during the cold time to prevent sweating due the infection. I heard that will effect your work position to change such can't stand under the sun (myth or fact).

I am not sure and correct. One of the cochlear implant can't upgrading the BWP for implant due must be the same id or product name. Otherwise, require to sugery.

I believe that not good for child or baby due the bone can grow cover the implant and may break it. Plus if your child before 7 years old and will require other surgery for 7 years old to get right sizy due grow ages. Plus they can be confused who they are. So I believe the adult is better because the head bone is almost finish develop to close the top your head of cracke to become smooth such like a bald head.

I am learn what I spoken with my doctor.

However they suppose to exam on your head before they can surgery. If they say "I THINK" don't go over there. just drop it and deal with deafness.

__________________
Let the star inner your heart be blast dark sky where there will be a bright kingdom.

Deaf258

So, are you saying that if my parents had given me CIs when I was little, the first thing I would 'hear' my parents say would be, "I love you more because you can hear better!"???

Think again, it's screwed up. What's wrong with parents loving the children regardless of their handicaps, disabilities and/or deafness? I prefer my parents to love me no matter what, than to focus on what is wrong with me! Growing up, I have had some experiences with my parents where it was clear that they were trying to "fix" me. It came to the point that they have been trying too hard with doctor appointments, audiologists and hearing aids. I never had a lot of fun with my parents because they really put too much energy on making me speak perfectly and not allowing me to have a normal childhood. It put a bad strain on our relationship as soon and parents! It won't be any different with cochlear implants. If my parents did put cochlear implants, I would be ****ing pissed! Too many parents have this misconception that buying hearing aids or cochlear implants automatically makes their Deaf child(ren) obligated to do what the parents want them to do, having to live their lives through the parents' dreams, realities and high expectations. It has come to the point where life as a Deaf child with hearing aids/cochlear implants reeks of verbal, emotional abuse and near-slavery!

My final point: It is MORE important for me to be understood and loved than to be able to hear and feel "broken"!

kuifje75

Ok, you support parents' choices, AS LONG AS they do not choose to let their children decide, is that it?

Maria

AIDS is the worse for the little babies/children than CI. And, of course CI sometimes give some health problems, but think about AIDS ... AIDS is the worse painful than CI, because AIDS cut the babies/children's life short than young children who wear CI. Parents will be able to see CI children for a very long time...except those little babies/children who have AIDS. Parents will not be able to see their AIDS babies/children very long. The reason I said this is because, of what I am readin' Cheri's post with all the list of health problems. So..umm...I am against CI, of course... but, when it comes for other parents who want to make their own decisions for their own kids to wear CI, the parents are puttin' it like a "coat" to "cover naked". That's what the parents are seein' in it when it comes to "naked". But, to compare with AIDS babies...that's the worse than CI children, because all you can see "death" in AIDS, not CI in the eyes of ours except for the cause when the health problem discussed. I can see the both sides ... CI and AIDS. CI and AIDS are a BIG difference.
*Exhalin'* ... So, ummm what do you see in between CI and AIDS ? Do you see anything in between CI and AIDS that might give a little bit better ?

Liebling:-)))

Well, please don't say it's "off topic" but I like to give you the example why I let my children to choose themselves what they want CI or not.
I don't believe to have the right decision what the best interest for my child but love & respect, also upbrings limit, too but with dentals, doctors, school etc appointments is different.
Some of parents make such bad decisions because they think is best for their children. That's why I wouldn't do it because I don't know how my baby to small children feel, like what Cheri said. Logical the babies & small children up to 6 years old can't decide themselves what they want, that's why I rather wait until they are old enough to understand. I support their decision from 7 years to.... old instead of wait till 18 years old because I love them & want to see them happy.
I'm not change my baby's bodies by an operation because I don't know either they like it or not but help them to do right way like wear hearing aid, glass, prosthesis etc. Brenden, the prosthesis is not an implant like hearing aid, glass etc.
I'm not decide what the children eat but share our suggestion before I'm going to prepare.
We went to restaurants sometimes for the treat but I'm not choose what my children eat but let them to choose. I support their choice if they are not sure what it's good or not then give them the suggestions.
My children are welcome to share their opinions/discussion with me what they like or not. They also share what I like to eat, too.
I wouldn't do something without ask their permission but ask first before do something.
REMEMBER: The children have the same feeling as adults, too. That's why I'm concern their feelings instead of think what do the best for them.
I read the newspapers over the parents who think what the best interest for their children drive them to suicide.
One of many stories, I never forget is: True story around 15 years ago 16 years old girl want to study to become Vet but her parents object her wish & want her to become doctor or lawyer (I'm not sure which one) to follow her father's generation. Her father is well-known in the area where I live. A lot of arguments to drive her suicide. She left a goodbye letter to her parents said:
"I decide to end my life because I can't bear it anymore.
It's very sad that you can't change me what I want.
I can't bear it anymore.
Now I'm decide to end my life.
I want you know I love you & thank you for everything."
She let the train to run over to end her life.

Can you explain me how to get my 8 years old son to have an operation to correct his floppy ears because he is under 18 years old? Is it because I am a parent who has the right to have decision to do the best for the children under 18 years old? Oh No! I rather to leave my children to choose what they like.
like what I said: I can't see anything wrong with having CI implanted as long as the child want or not because it's their bodies, not mine. I support their decision from 7 years old.
Those examples are the same with CI!!!!
I would like to remember you that:
Every parents made the mistakes sometimes.
Every children are right about their opinions sometimes.
Every doctors made of course the mistakes sometimes.
Nobody are prefect.

That's an exactly why I rather wait till the children are old enough. I'm also collecting people's opinions as the same as the children collect their people's opinions, too. I believe is what we collecting the experiences before we doing something.

P.S. The children has the right to say NO & can go to Youth Social Worker because of those children protection law. They are on the children´s side to against their parents´s decision. Super!!! As you see that a lot of children had been suffered by their parent´s decision because they can´t accept their wish.
Please remember that the children have the feeling. Please think twice.
This is your CHOICE if you think what you doing right.
That's all what I have my opinion & also my feeling, too. It stay with me.

__________________

Deaf258

Where did this AIDS topic come from?! We are talking about hearing aids and cochlear implants!

Liebling:-)))

Interesting.
Why can't they implanted you when you want it? The WaterRat's doctor might agree to implant you when you visit her doctor? I read some of her forums that she received the CI at 3 years ago in your country.
As you see that every doctors have the different views of implant the people like what I said in the previous topic that the doctor here implanted a 55 years old lady.
Try WaterRat's doctor?

__________________

Maria

I know. I am just sharin' my views about health issues when Cheri brought up about CI that it caused children to suffer... so, what I am tryin' to say is that the "AIDS" is worse than hearin' aids/CI when Cheri brought up about the health issues that are involved CI. I know it's a little bit off topic, but it's just that my view is what I am seein' in children between CI and AIDS. That's all...

Opal

I am not going to interfered with other parents, as everyone's entitled to their own opinions. It is between them.

I support my own children's and listen to them because they are my responsibity. no one else !

__________________
(\ (\
(=' x')
(,('')('')

Banjo

Exactly, there are too many people who interfere with parents' decisions in their children's lives.

The worst part is, they refuse to learn about the technology, so how can a person keep an open mind on the subject?

Liebling:-)))

Absolutely Correct!...
I understand what you mean

__________________

Opal

Yes, I went to the same hospital, and went through some tests and they decided I wasn't suitable for this operation! oh bother!

__________________
(\ (\
(=' x')
(,('')('')

Cheri

I have no clue what u talking about.. I did not make up this thread.. So I Did not bring up Ci into this.. I have no clue what or where u getting this information from... U lost me here.. Aids has nothing to do with Ci or having hearing aids.. we talking about way totally different view here.. Aids is something else..

__________________
Avoid being a victim of a stroke, a stroke can happen to anyone at anytime. You will never know how devastating this could be until you had live through it. It affects everybody. So Support Stroke Awareness to find a cure and hope.

Cheri

U are entitled to you opinions just like everyone else in here.. What do u mean what we don't see. U believe in what u want to believe in I accept your opinions and everyone else too. For me As a Mother It is just how I feel about young children and babies having implants and I understand ur point of view also u have the right to believe what is best for ur child/ children... Just like everyone else in here believes what best also... *smile*

__________________
Avoid being a victim of a stroke, a stroke can happen to anyone at anytime. You will never know how devastating this could be until you had live through it. It affects everybody. So Support Stroke Awareness to find a cure and hope.

kuifje75

Banjo

Even though I may not agree with the idea of implanting infants, I won't influence any parents not to have them. I absolutely agree that it is entirely up to the parents to decide for themselves what they should do for the child.

I just wish that people would not think that we are so ignorant or close minded on this subject. We might know something about it, but still refuse this treatment because we do not feel that it is right. For example, if a Basque parent sent his kid to a Spanish school, and the school wants to throw the Basque language out of school, then the parent would feel offended. He might take the kid out of school and send to another school that teaches Basque.

Anyway, you should take your own advice though. Stop telling other people that their ideas are wrong or ill-informed. You can only decide for what is best for your own child.

Cheri

Your'e Correct That is exectly How I feel as a Mother...
Well Said kuifje75!

__________________
Avoid being a victim of a stroke, a stroke can happen to anyone at anytime. You will never know how devastating this could be until you had live through it. It affects everybody. So Support Stroke Awareness to find a cure and hope.

Liebling:-)))

I understand & respect your view because you protect your daughters´s future because you love them but we´re here to share our opinions/discussion to see what right or not. It doesn't mean that we all influence, against or insult their opinions but they can decide themselves what they think it's right or not because they want do is protect their children's future.

I protect/support my son´s (11) & (8) future because I love them & want to see them happy, that´s why I´m here to collect your opinions.

I like to know/listen their view over my opinion to see if they are disagree or not because I´m here to collect your experiences because I need it.

I love my 8 years old floppy ear son too much to force him to do something what he don´t want but I know he will change his mind one day. He love to being "flattery" by anyone "how cute you are" because of his floppy ear. Ha Ha!

__________________

Angel

*Sigh*....

I wish you would stop telling others inculding me that their ideas or what they believe is all wrong....You can only decide for what is BEST for your child...And Please leave it to that!...

I am NOT interfere with any parent's decisions in their child life....I am only voice my opinion of what I believe or think it is right as a Parent...I believe as a parent that a child should be into this decisions of getting a CI because the child is the ONE who is going to wear them not the parents!....I find it very unfair that a parent makes that decisions without a child being involved in this decisions too....Just remerber who is wearing the CI!...

And, It has NOTHING to do about learning the technology....It's about a Child's CHOICE!....

As everyone's entitled to their own opinions!...

__________________
"When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is brought in our life, OR in the life of another." ~ Helen Keller

Banjo

Did I say you were wrong?

No.

My opinion is my opinion, your opinion is your opinion. If you don't want to be disagreed with then keep your opinions to yourself if you don't want to get upset.

Now, what you are saying is trampling onto my right to speak my mind even if you disagree with it. How would you like it if you were told to shut up?

I wouldn't like it. That is why I don't tell people to shut up but I do make suggestions that if they don't want to get upset, then they may have to make some choices in how to post.

But I do have a problem with people who spew out a lot of misinformation and try to post it as facts. I am not saying that you're doing it, but there are people who have a bad habit of doing that.

I do not want people to get the misinformation from this forum, especially the parents of deaf children. No, I'm not talking about the beliefs, I'm talking about the bad information that some people provide while it is simply overdone and untrue.

Beliefs, they are important to everybody including me. But we do have to remember that we cannot force our beliefs onto everybody. But for me, facts and information come first, not my beliefs.

Yet you support the idea of banning cochlear implants for babies.

How is that not interfering with the parents' decisions?

How is it unfair?

A 6 months old baby is not capable of making its own wise decision. If they don't like it. Then just stop wearing it which is quite a simple solution.

Is a 6 months old baby capable of filling out a medical form?

No.

Is a 6 months old baby capable of changing its own diapers?

No.

Is a 6 months old baby capable of defending itself from child molesters?

No.

That is why we have parents... to make wise decisions for us. That goes for cochlear implants too.

If you want to implant your child, that is fine with me.

If you don't want to implant your child, that is fine with me.

But if you interfere with a parent's decision, that is not fine with me.

You said that you are not interfering with any parents' decisions when it to come to their children, how is this not interfering with the parents' decisions?

Yes, everybody are entitled to their opinions, but everybody are also entitled to agree or disagree.

Just my two cents.

Banjo

This I agree very much so with. It is the parents' choice to make the decisions, not ours.

Whatever the decision is, I'm fine with it.

Yes, but I do have a problem with people who try to get something like cochlear implants banned simply because they don't like it. The biggest problem is, it is the misinformation that get me peeved most of the time in the threads because they are usually posted as facts instead of opinions.

It is no different from people trying to ban donuts simply because they think it taste too sweet.

It is a personal decision, and it will affect the family, but not the world.

Yes, I can only decide for what is best for my own child. But the thing is, if I don't agree with a person's idea on a forum.

Whatever I think of is what I write down onto the papers.

kuifje75

I do agree that banning CI is such a dramatic decision. Nobody should do that. The option should be available for everyone to have. It is how some people use that technology to assume that being deaf is a bad thing, which isn't necessarily true. It's the approach that people should have problem with. CI users should not lecture or preach to people that they must have CIs, and deaf people also should the same, not to lecture on people that they cant have CIs for whatever reason. People need to remain objective with their influence on people.

Liebling:-)))

Exactly!!!!
I´m total agree with you. That´s exactly what I mean.

__________________

Banjo

Well, this I cannot argue with. It really depend on how a person's lifestyle is like. It does depend on the areas they live, and the communities too.

Yes, that's right. People should not preach to people on what to do with their lives.

There are many unnecessary preaching that happen around us everyday. I have seen it at a certain forum but cannot name it due to the rules.