Cochlear Implants
Thirty-four years ago in October 1982, a Melbourne man, Graham Carrick, made history when a remarkable invention was implanted in his cochlea. It was “switched on” and fifteen minutes later he could hear for the first time in seventeen years. From that point on, nearly 200,000 people worldwide and of all ages have benefited from life-changing cochlear implant technology (Humadro 46). Carrick has received backlash by the Deaf—people who embraces cultural norms, beliefs, and values of the Deaf Community—because of his decision to treat his case of deafness as a medical condition that needs to be modified. Parents of infant cochlear recipients are scrutinized for their adjudication. Children with profound hearing loss should be allowed to receive
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A person must undergo multiple screenings to determine if they are a suitable candidate. The testing includes audiologic, psychological, medical examinations, and tests performed by the surgeon. The tests will determine if the person needs bilateral, both ears, or unilateral, one-sided, cochlear implants. Once deemed a pertinent applicant, communication options must be established and selected. Listening and spoken language, cued speech, and American Sign Language, also known as ASL, are the most popular prerogatives. Audiologist, Dr. Alexandra Wheeler, describes the communication selection process, “This is a very crucial decision, besides the implant itself, because it will change the way of social exchange.” If a person chooses to communicate in sign language, they need to be surrounded by people who know how to respond. Children will need to attend schools that accommodate ASL, as well as spoken language. In 1989, The Food and Drug Administration approved cochlear implantation in children as young as twelve months old. “During the first three years of life, a child’s brain is still building its neural connections. For a child with hearing loss, this means that during these first years a child’s brain is much more likely to adapt to the cochlear implant’s electric stimulation as compared to later in life” (Vincent). Early implantation prompts the brain to respond and convert
A person must undergo multiple screenings to determine if they are a suitable candidate. The testing includes audiologic, psychological, medical examinations, and tests performed by the surgeon. The tests will determine if the person needs bilateral, both ears, or unilateral, one-sided, cochlear implants. Once deemed a pertinent applicant, communication options must be established and selected. Listening and spoken language, cued speech, and American Sign Language, also known as ASL, are the most popular prerogatives. Audiologist, Dr. Alexandra Wheeler, describes the communication selection process, “This is a very crucial decision, besides the implant itself, because it will change the way of social exchange.” If a person chooses to communicate in sign language, they need to be surrounded by people who know how to respond. Children will need to attend schools that accommodate ASL, as well as spoken language. In 1989, The Food and Drug Administration approved cochlear implantation in children as young as twelve months old. “During the first three years of life, a child’s brain is still building its neural connections. For a child with hearing loss, this means that during these first years a child’s brain is much more likely to adapt to the cochlear implant’s electric stimulation as compared to later in life” (Vincent). Early implantation prompts the brain to respond and convert