Perspective on Cochlear Implants and ASL

Often we keep hearing how "amazing that cochlear implants (CI) helps me hear", disregarding the reality of what CI fundamentally is. Just a technology tool that has the same function as a hearing aid, only advanced. Basically we're all still deaf.

That is what my mother said when my grandmother wanted me to have CI's back then. "She's fine, there's nothing wrong with her. She's doing good." My parents' belief that I am more than deaf has opened worlds that are usually closed to deaf and hearing communities, without resorting to the pressures of having CIs. They are well aware of realities and they have allowed me to go and do what I need to do, even if it may scare them, after all I'm their oldest kid (my privilege to do so, smiles). There are other people in my life, who have raised me to think of myself as myself, I am grateful for having them in my life.

How can worlds be closed to both communities? Let me relate to you my experience at a recent meeting. The meeting had a presenter about cochlear implants and how it impacted the presenter's life. Somewhere along the way, a comment from the presenter was "the deaf community is against cochlear implants." It upset me. I took the chance to present clarification. The meeting was able to be read by CART (Caption Access Real-Time) so I went ahead and spoke and signed at the same time, normally it doesn't fare well; however, it did go pretty good.

I clarified that the deaf community initially got the message that with cochlear implant, anyone can hear. This was not in respect towards the language and culture that has been around longer than technology has. So once a culture and language is threatened, the response would be resistance or being against the threat. I also informed the people that for those who are familiar with CIs will accept what the technology is and what it does. For those who do not understand, they will resist because they were not given the opportunity to understand. The same thing goes for hearing aids back in the '70s. The same reaction for CIs is the same for hearing aids.

Ok, that's a deaf perspective. What about the hearing side? (Again I emphasize throughout the blogs - general population, not specific), hearing people find sign language and the ability to hear to be offensive and not a survivable capability. Hearing people do not understand what we are all about. Oftentimes, when a deaf person informs the hearing person that they cannot hear, the hearing person would become quiet, turn away and become disinterested in continuing the conversation with the deaf person. Sometimes the opposite can happen, the person can move their lips too big or shout at the deaf person.

With the lack of understanding from both communities, worlds are closed to them, no opportunities are made, no friendships forged, no educational/real life wonders happen, and no communication access is ever achieved.

Recently at another workshop, a presenter mentioned "research shows that a child who can hear and sign achieves more than a child who hears only or signs only." We know that in the real world that comment would be repelled by both communities; however, we have or will meet people who either hear only or sign only and they would be successful in their own right. What about those who do sign, hear and speak, can't they be successful too? They have blended two cultures and two languages, knowing full well that both cultures and languages can never be a true culture together.

Audiologists or doctors who diagnose deafness in babies recommend CI as the first thing to do (what about hearing aids?), without (again general) actually sharing information about deaf community, other parents who are deaf/hearing with deaf/hearing children and the like. The same thing goes for "Do not teach your child sign language." How ridiculous is that? Studies have shown that children learning two languages and more are able to be more open to different avenues, educational challenges and real life scenarios, whether they be deaf or hearing.

Education and Employment are the main concerns of people all over the globe. If both communities cannot open their eyes, minds and souls to the worlds under their noses, the ability to obtain an education or employment will be low. I'm not saying that it is for a fact, actually people do transcend that challenge and prove either communities wrong. It is more of a mindset provided by both communities which can prevent them from being able to break the prejudices, stereotyping and other psychological factors.

Now what can we do to open worlds to the communities all around us? Are you up to the task?

Cochlear Implants and Deaf Issue

This article I like because someone finally says that it is ok for them to be deaf and cochlear implants (CI) do not replace who they are. As a hearing aid user, the ability to hear something helps out in different ways like lipreading, listening to music but does not mean that I am hard of hearing. I have been deaf all of my live; however, being deaf does not define me but helps me to be a better person. I'm happy this mother recognizes the potential of her boys to be all they can be.


From the newsroom of the WISC-TV, Channel 3 News, Madison, Wisconsin, Thursday, February 1, 2007 .....

Deaf Brothers Get Implants To Hear For First Time

Implants For 2 Brothers Will Be Turned On Friday

BEAVER DAM, Wis. -- A Beaver Dam mother said she is grateful and looking forward to experiencing a miracle with her sons -- who will hear sound for the first time on Friday.

The brothers, who are deaf, will have cochlear implants. Mother Brenda Mueller said they are anxious and excited about their new journey.

Three of Mueller's four sons -- Casey, Coltin and Riley -- were born deaf.

Their mother said their life is as full and rewarding as any parent could hope for their child. Mueller said that the fact that they're deaf has given them the gift of a place in a special community and is not a setback.

"Being deaf is a way of life and a culture and a beautiful culture in its own self. I've explained to other people you would not feel sorry for someone from Germany if they were speaking German and couldn't speak English," Mueller said.

But cochlear implants will give the boys the choice of experiencing life in both the hearing and deaf cultures.

"I don't feel there's anything wrong with my children. We're not fixing them; they're not broken," Mueller said. "I think the boys are excited, but they don't really know what this is."

Both Coltin and Casey will have their implants turned on Friday, when the will begin to hear sounds for the first time in their lives.

Young Riley is already experiencing life with sound. His implant was first turned on two weeks ago.

"That day when they're turned on, it's not some big epiphany. It's very calm," Mueller said. "Last night, he was climbing on my back and my brother was over and he's making an attempt to make the same sound back, which is huge; it's huge."

Doctors said that actual words usually take three to six months. But just last week, Riley already blurted out his first real word -- "stop."

"I told him to do it, and he did plain as day. I almost fell over with the s and the t and the o and the p perfect. I made him do it again and again," Mueller said. "I waited almost 11 years for Coltin to say his first words. I try to keep my emotions in check. It's not a sad thing; it's a happy thing. But it is emotionally overwhelming as a parent to wait so long."

Mueller said that she had better odds of winning the lottery than having three sons who can't hear. But she said that this turned out to be her lottery and that she can't wait for the implants to be activated.

NOTE: WISC-TV will be with the family on Friday when Coltin and Casey have their implants turned on for the first time, and the story will air during the 6 p.m. news on Feb. 2. Tune into WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for part two of this story. Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved.