Answer to question on Design Mom

A Design Mom reader named Diana wrote:
Fascinating. Do you encounter problems from the deaf community for choosing the implants for them? Hey, even my hearing child needs repetition!

Diana,
Diana,
Yeah, I need a lot of repetition too! (Ask my husband about how to use the ¡$x%#@*™*! scanner.)

You ask a great (great big!), question about the deaf community. Here is a great big answer! Hope it helps clarify.

It is true that there is STILL a lot of resistance to deaf children/adults speaking. Look at all the craziness around Gallaudet U. last fall. The idea is that they are born/become this way and it is fine.(As in: Just Fine. Grrrr.) Of course it is fine. It is also extremely limiting. Personally I don't understand that reasoning at all. Why not learn a 2nd or 3rd language? Why not sometimes wear heals and other times flip flops?

Also, I can't expect my children's entire extended family to learn sign language. This means that they would be completely cut off from family stories, friendships and affection. Perhaps other families with deaf children figure this out, but no one, on either side of our family, has stepped in knowing sign language fluently. Can you imagine if your favorite cousin, uncle, grandmother only spoke to you in pigeon English?

Fact: 80% of deaf adults who don't speak are UN or UNDER employed. That is deplorable. Obviously this is bad for everyone. The inverse is also true though: 80% of deaf adults who speak are employed, contributing and probably happier with their lives.

Yes, I've heard from a lady that it is not my decision to make. She sat next to me on a plane. She had lost their hearing later, during her 1st pregnancy, well past learning how to speak. At the time we were contemplating a CI for Nathan. Who else is going to make the decision for a wee bitty child, who has such a short window of time to learn to speak?

Since technology has changed so much in the last few years this argument is becoming increasingly old fashioned. CIs have only been around for about the last 20 years, and they keep getting better and better.

Nathan and Margo both wear Advance Bionics Harmony implants and are doing brilliantly. Margo needs a lot more consistent therapy, she is a bit behind for her age.

Nathan's story is interesting--for another time & place. In short: He HATES to be without his implant! Without hearing he was a destructive, frustrated, mean and ugly child. He knew what he was missing and was so unhappy. We were too. This side of the militant deaf community is never in the spot light.

We live in central Utah where services through the state school for the deaf are pathetic. (Have to say there are some great teachers and some whopsy ditsy administrators.) (We, another mother, my husband and myself, have just started The Journey to Hear Foundation to help this situation.)

Although the doctors, most audiologists and the school for the deaf are asleep at the wheel there are some great new things happening for giving deaf children options. Read more about the issue and the Sound Beginnings Program in Logan, with Dr. Karl White here: http://www.usu.edu/research/news/newsdetail.cfm?ID=347