Should Deaf People Receive Cochlear Implants Or...

Should deaf people receive cochlear implants or communicate through sign language? The use of cochlear implants has become a very controversial topic within the deaf community. My question was inspired by the sources â€Å"Why Is Dancing So Good for Your Brain† and â€Å"from Mapping the Bilingual Brain†. Both sources mentioned sign language, which made me think about the debate over whether deaf people should receive a cochlear implant or communicate solely through sign language. The first single channel cochlear implant was introduced in 1972 as an electrical device that provides a sense of hearing to those that are â€Å"profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing† (Tallungan). Though the technology behind cochlear implants has improved, there is still a divide throughout the United States as to whether deaf individuals should receive cochlear implants or communicate solely through sign language. But, by December 2012, 58,000 adults and 38,000 children had rec eived cochlear implant in the United States (Tallungan). While there are many risks involved with cochlear implants, there could also be many benefits. The question that remains is, â€Å"Do the benefits of receiving a cochlear implant outweigh the risks?† Although many advances have been made scientifically to improve the effectiveness of cochlear implants, it is also important to examine the opinions of the deaf society, how a deaf person’s communication skills may develop with or without a cochlear implant, and the economic factorsShow MoreRelatedAre Cochlear Implants Threatening The Deaf Community?1417 Words   |  6 PagesAre Cochlear Implants Threatening the Deaf Community? According to the Deaf Culture Centre, Deaf Culture is defined as the â€Å"heart of the Deaf community everywhere in the world. Language and culture are inseparable. They are intertwined and passed down through generations of Deaf people.† It is estimated that nearly 20 percent of Americans live with some form of hearing loss, yet deaf and hard of hearing society members remain oppressed by the mainstream culture (Callis). These people that identifyRead MoreThe Cause And Effect Of Deafness1231 Words   |  5 Pagesfor granted by many people, and unfortunately many will never get to experience. About 10% of the Global population is affected by some percentage of hearing loss with hundred twenty four million people affected from a moderate level to a severe deafness. Deafness is caused by different situations. Research shows that two to three out of thousand children in US are born deaf. There is no actual cure for deafness, but in 1982 the invention of cochlear implants gave profoundly deaf and severely hardRead MoreEssay on Are Cochlear Implants a Threat to the Deaf Community? 1683 Words   |  7 Pagespopulation, with 124.2 million people affected from a moderate level to a severe disability. (WHO 2008) Deafness can be the result of many different causes such as otitis media (middle ear infections), hereditary disorders, genetic mutations at birth, prenatal exposure to certain diseases such as meningitis, and trauma to the eardrum or auditory nerves. (Better Health Channel, 2013) While not a cure to deafness, the invention of cochlear implants (CIs) now allows people who are severely hard of hearingRead MoreA Brief Note On The Deaf Culture And Hearing People1338 Words   |  6 PagesWhen a child or an adult who is deaf, there are many options one can take to fix their hearing if they want to. They have the options of hearing aid, cochlear implants, an auditory brainstem implant, an auditory midbrain implant, or use ASL. The cochlear implant is a very controversial topic between the Deaf culture and hearing people. Deciding whether or not to receive the implant and be involved in the Deaf culture is a very hard decision for someone to make because of the benefits but also theRead MoreAmerican Sign Language Is Not A Universal Language1287 Words   |  6 PagesWe exchange thousands of words everyday with people around us. Most of us gifted with the ability to listen to a friend, process it in our brain and respond through our mouth. However, there are some peo ple who lack these kinds of ability, unfortunately. Unlike us, this group of people use sign language to communicate with others. For everyday life, deaf people use sign language to communicate with one another. It is a complete language that involves hand movement added with facial expression andRead MoreA Study On Cochlear Implants1448 Words   |  6 PagesA Cochlear Implant is an electronic device that partially restores hearing in people who have severe hearing loss due to damage of the inner ear and who receive limited benefit from hearing aids (http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/au/home/understand/hearing-and-hl/hl-treatments/cochlear-implant). In some cases there are patients whose hearing did not adjust correctly, having a risk of developing a virus, complications after the surgery, the benefits of sign language without a cochlear implantRead MoreHow the Deaf Communicate in a Hearing World Essay1671 Words   |  7 Pageshearing world and a deaf one. One world is capab le of hearing and the other involves no incoming source of sound whatsoever. Understanding how deaf culture and how the hard of hearing work and live is important in order to comprehend the reasons behind why they do the certain things they do such as stare at others for a long period of time or the reason why they perceive situations that they are placed in. In the world of the deaf, one who has been labeled with the term â€Å"deaf† has little to no meaningRead MoreIs Deafness a Disability or a Way of Living?1593 Words   |  7 PagesTwo centuries ago, the Deaf community arose in American society as a linguistic minority. Members of this community share a particular human condition, hearing impairment. However, the use of American Sign Language, as their main means of communicating, and attendance to a residential school for people with deafness also determine their entry to this micro-culture. Despite the fact that Deaf activists argue that their community is essentially an ethnic group, Deaf culture is certainly different fromRead MoreDeafness And Other Communication Disorders Essay1761 Words   |  8 Pagesprofound, with the most severe resulting in deafness. Deafness is defined as a condition in which a person cannot process language and speech aurally, and typically rely upon visual means for communication. People who experience less profound hearing loss are termed to be hard of hearing and can often process language to some extent, often with tools such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. (Hunt, 2012, pp. 374-377) There are a variety of causes for childhood hearing impairments. In young children, theRead MoreThe Importance Of Language On Deaf Children1582 Words   |  7 PagesDeaf and Muted In every facet of life, language plays a critical role. Virginia Frazier-Maiwald describes the significance of language saying, Language is the glue that allows us to establish and maintain our relationships. It is the way in which we transmit our most intimate thoughts and feelings. It is what we use to love and discipline our children. Without a common language, our thoughts, feelings, and opinions are misinterpreted or lost. A place without