risks vs benefits

The debate of receiving a cochlear implant is a big controversy within the deaf community. There are many important issues that need to be considered when thinking about getting a cochlear implant. FDA discusses benefits and risks of the cochlear implant. FDA tells that some benefits are: hearing can become close to normal, sometimes able to make phone calls, may be able to hear speech without lip reading, watch TV, or listen to music. The risks may seem to out way the benefits; however it depends on who you are asking. A person who wants to hear more than anything in the world would probably tell you that the risks are a minute part of the decision process. Some risks that FDA lists are: nerve damage, meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, perilympth fluid leak, infection, and tinnitus, and taste disturbance. There are a lot of risks that go with the decision to receive a cochlear implant, but there are many risks a person may decide to take in life. For instance, it is said that having children over the age of 30 years old increases the risks of problems.

My mother decided to have my baby sister when she was 40 years old. Doctors tried to persuade her not to have children because of the risks they could face. My mother and her husband were determined to have children and they were willing to take their chances.

The main concern you face as you age is that your risk of conceiving a baby with a chromosomal problem goes up every year. For example, the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome rises from about 1 in 759 at age 30 to 1 in 302 at age 35, 1 in 82 at age 40. -George Mussalli

There are risks such as this that come when making decisions in life. The options should be thought out, but a person should make choices that will make them happy in life. It is obvious that to some people the benefits of receiving the implant out weighted the risks.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, about 188,000 people worldwide have received implants as of April 2009. -Jennifer Davis

The cochlear implant may not be for everyone. I was reading an article about a lady who does not know American Sign Language, and does not have a cochlear implant. She relies strictly on reading lips and talking; I could imagine that to be difficult. From the article it seems to be the best decision for her even though she realizes that technology has improved a lot of the differences between people. For more information on this article click here.

I am excited to learning about the cochlear implant and how someones life may be impacted. It is important to me is to accept people for who they are, be kind, and learn as much as you can.

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
Mark Twain

bitter ending

I apologize in advance if I sound bitter.

I attended another deaf meeting. Which I have to say my signing is improving (well at least my vocabulary... not necessarily my sentence structure). I cant wait to pick up an extra class to develop this skill.

I met a guy named Nick; I had been warned about him before I met him. Nick was a major flirt and loves woman. He also has a cochlear implant which is what drew me to meet him. Despite that I knew his story might be exaggerated for attention.

When I first arrived I went to sit with a few people I had met previously. It did not take long before Nick headed my way (it is said he loves to meet all new woman who come to the meetings). This was a new location that people meet, but many go to all the local meetings. He is physically handicapped and uses it to his advantage. Nick seemed to like every thing I did, which is fine. I have learned to master signing: Oh really, cool, and me too. Which carries a person far in a chat onversation when first meeting people.

After finding common interest Nick began to play the games I had been warned of; sorry if I sound a little bitter of the situation. He asked me if I cared if he had a cochlear implant, I told him it didn't bother me. Nick started to tell me that most people wont be his friend and talk to him because of the implant. He described when He first got the implant and how nervous he was going into the doctors office. He said his family was very support and did not force the surgery on him, they let him make his own decisions.

After questioning other people at the meeting I was informed that it was not because of the implant that people don't talk to him but because of his actions.I have concluded, which is an obvious conclusion, that it is truly based on the persons opinion. Many people told me that evening that his manipulation is why people don't interact with him. It was a very valuable experience. At the end of the night Nick was begging multiple girls for their phone numbers, email address, and a ride to a bar. All the rumors seemed to unfold by the end of the night.

On the bright side, I met another social worker. She discussed why she is interested in sign language, and we seem to have common thoughts. We discussed how it would be beneficial to learn of the culture to understand and relate to our clients. Another great reason is that information would not be misinterpreted when in an interview possibly discussing drugs, abuse, or relationships. I was very excited to meet someone who was on the same path as me, she was more advanced than myself and I felt very good about my decisions so far.

There is a website www.cochlearwar.com which gives many different opinions. People are able to go onto the website and debate over the cochlear implant. They first have to make sure you are a real person then you can offer your opinion. I did register and I will give you updates of the discussions. I am excited to get involved. Here is a man that was upset about the website being called a ‘War'

I just want to say that the title Chochlear WAR seems very unfortunate. Surely Cochlear Implant Controversey or Cochlear Implant Discussion would be less divisive. - Pete

As I was registering I realized that this website may seem a very small part of real life, yet it still has many interesting points and I believe it will be very useful. To call the debate a war, does seem to be over exaggerated. People should accept others for who they are and their decisions in life instead of judging.

two men, similar struggle

Michael said his life has become easier and his parents have released him into the world and no longer worry. This is the beginning of a new friendship.
Tuesday I was visited a college and noticed a young man with a cochlear implant. I introduced myself and asked to sit with him. He seemed shy and politely agreed to my company. His name was Michael and I explained my curiosity and why I asked to sit with him. Michael said he was fine with me asking him questions about his cochlear implant. He told me that people are so ignorant to the cochlear implant that he is sometimes asked if it is a new device for an MP3 player. Michael laughed it off, and began to tell me his story. He was the only deaf person in his family and at age 11 decided to get a cochlear implant. He also informed me that he never really learned American Sign Language, and the little sign language he knew he signed as exact English.

For those unaware of the difference between American Sign Language and Sign Exact English I will explain. American Sign Language is a language that the deaf culture has made their own and is different from English, (SEE) Sign Exact English is English signed word for word.

Michael informed me that he is going to start taking classes to learn sign language over the summer. He did tell me he has not been associated with the deaf community; however he is trying to meet people now. Michael was recently engaged... which probably explains his nervousness for me asking to sit with him.

This gave me a new outlook on how people with the cochlear implant feel about it. Michael explained he was very happy with his implant, and that it has allowed him the ability to play the drums.

Saturday Night:
As I was surfing the web to entertain my interest I stumbled upon Graham’s post at http://www.thedeafblog.co.uk/2010/01/sudden_sensorineural_hearing_l.html. This family man lost his hearing in his right ear for no reason one day, and eventually became used to it as life went on. Except one day Graham became ill and lost his hearing in his left ear. He went through struggles trying to adapt to his hearing loss with two small children and his wife. Graham was tested to receive a cochlear implant and was denied the first time. His hearing became worse over time and was retested to find that he was to move onto the next steps to receive his implant. That was as of January 12th, 2010. Graham’s website is http://www.thedeafblog.co.uk/2010/01/sudden_sensorineural_hearing_l.html discusses the tests he went through to determine the final decision of the cochlear implant. Graham has no decision as of yet.
Hearing different people’s experience is rather interesting and I feel I am growing as an individual. Learning to accept people for who they are and not judging them is something everyone needs to learn.

I believe these two men have something in common; they are both entering the deaf community and seem to be unsure of what is next. I believe this is a growing experience and appreciate the opportunity to hear their stories.

Intrigued at a young age

I was intrigued at a young age and hooked from one moment on. I started to ask myself why do I really want to learn about the deaf culture? My thoughts took me back to the fifth grade while I was patrolling the stairway as a safety patrol. I loved to talk with anyone who passed the stairs I was watching and one day I noticed all I would get from a group of kids was a big smile and a wave. There is one particular girl I recall named Jessica she seemed bashful, well that was my impression at first, and had short blond hair.

One day Jessica stopped to talk with me when I realized she could not hear me. The aid for the class was named Michelle and she saw us and came to save the friendship. Michelle interpreted the conversation for us, after Jessica went to class Michelle taught me a few signs so I could talk on my own. I studied my alphabet and the following months I built a friendship with Jessica.

One day after school was out I was trying to speak with another deaf girl that I did not talk to regularly. I was trying my best to say excuse me, can I get through? I was told the next day that I called the girl an bad name. I was so embarrassed, Jessica was there and I believe she calmed the girl down. Michelle later told me that they had to explain to the girl that I did not know much sign language and was not calling her a bad name.

After that day I felt so bad I quit studying sign language and went back to only smiling and waving. As I got older I realize I truly missed an opportunity to build strong relationships and a perfect time to learn American Sign Language.

So here I am twenty something years later and yet I experience another embarrassing moment in my life. I know life is full of embarrassing events, but this took me back to a time when I young... except now I have learned to laugh at my mistakes.

caught off guard

As I stood there I was pondering why this lady refused to answer me, and just stared at me...




For extra cash I work on the side at a little bakery, and I was assisting the company by passing out samples of a delicious dish. This particular assignment gets very boring compared to my every day job, so I love to entertain clients. I engage clients (customers, sorry) in conversation and try to build rapport. As I was working my part time boss comes to chat with me and keep me company. I would love to own a franchise when this company decides to sell, so I decide to make the best of my relationship with the company and try to impress the general manager.

As customers approach I greet them in a very enthusiastic way and with a smile. One particular customer approaches that I recognize, and I excitedly state, Where do I know you from? My mind was wondering where do I know this lady from with a small blond child tagging behind her. The lady's husband was standing near by listening (which whom I did not recognize).
Denounced to me she was deaf and her husband answer for her, "She is deaf and can't hear you." (stupid me) Then every so ignorantly I announced "Oh.. that is where I know you from!" It still did not click in my mind that this happening, and I could practice my sign language and I continued to talk. I explained to her husband that I had seen her last Monday at the deaf meeting I attended.

Let me remind you, all this is happening with my part time boss standing there watching. :) I attempted to make use of the little American Sign Language I knew. I was so excited I mixed up my thoughts and signs. Her husband said don't worry about it, and signed to her what I was trying to say. I wanted her to know I was a student and had seen her at a deaf meeting. The conversation ended very quickly. I made things very awkward for every individual involved.

All in all my boss was impressed, and curious to know more which filled up the last hour of my shift. Embarrassing and yet very worthwhile. I am a very nervous, jittery, and over exaggerate person so with this experience I plan to take with me the reminder to calm myself down!