Let's be realistic and honest . . . The cochlear implant is NOT a miracle! (Some people make it sound like some kind of "Star Trek era" cure-all, like Geordi LaForge's visor!) The CI may work well for some, and I'm happy if it's worked for you
As a parent of two kids with cochlear implants, I can vouch for the fact that deaf kids with CIs can learn to speak and hear easily. They can then communicate with their entire family and the world without the struggle of needing interpreters. They can reach higher educational levels because they have the language of their teachers, and they can be employed in more places because they know how to use the language that the typical person uses. This is not "false advertising" but the most sincere kind of truthful advertising. While some deaf extremists are angry, it doesn't change the fact that life will be easier for kids who can hear thanks to this very good technology.
Is there caption for us who cannot understand or read lips well?
May I please get a transcript of this show and are direct quotes permitted?
Sorry, but what's wrong with learning American Sign Language (ASL)??? I am hearing and a student of ASL. I have embrace deaf culture which is rich...it is a language. I am the parent of an adult child with autism...Deafness makes the person who they are, just as the autism makes my daughter who she is...why would you want to change that? There is nothing wrong with a deaf person..they just can't hear...'If you cut us do we not bleed?"
Thank you so much for airing such an episode on hearing loss and allowing the world to know that deafness is not what it used to be. Cochlear implants are a true miracle. Of course, early detection and early implantation is key to fo the success of the Cochlear impant. In addition to hard work and parental support, a deaf child can live, interact and socialize in a the hearing world. As a mother of a 3 year old little boy, I can definitly say that the cochlear impant gave my child a future that he would not have without them. He was implanted at 12 months (bilateral) and is doing fantastic. He hears just like a hearing child, speaks, sings songs and socializes with normal hearing children. Thanking for showing to parents of young deaf children that there is hope for their child. For those that dont agree with CI's, I think they should keep their comments to themselves. Why would you not want to give your child the best gift in the world.... "their hearing". If a child has the oppurtunity to be a hearing person and the parents choose not to give them every chance to help them hear, I feel that parent is selfish.. When we become parents, we are given the responsibility to protect and care for our children...give them everything we can. If there is the technology out there to help these children then every parent should allow that child to hear! For those parents out there considering cochlear implants, dont hesistate. It truly is a miracle!
Wow, I feel bad for the deaf and hard of hearing kids in that kind of programs. They are selling their souls - taking advantage of the deaf and hard of hearing children language potential. They need to ask the deaf adults!!! Many oral adults are nobody else.
This is very heartbreaking. You kept spreading the false information about ASL (American Sign Language). My older deaf brother and sister went to the oral school. It was so awful. They suffered because it did not help them at all. They even told the parents not to use the sign language at home. It was so miserable for my family. My mother finally decided to buy the sign language book and learned to communicate with them. I ve talked with many many deaf friends who had the oral education. They said it failed them too. Actually, it is very few of the deaf students who did well in the oral education. What did you do with the rest of them?
Thank you for sharing this with the World. I feel it is important for everyone to know the truth therefore people's comments on this one should not be deleted. You deleted Tami's comments when she bought the truth and facts to your attention. AVT does not benefit every deaf child and it could be harmful for many Deaf children. As a teacher of deaf children, I have seen so many children who has been transfeered from an oral program like this one to our school because oral approach did not work with them therefore they became very delayed in areas of academic and social skills. ABG organization has invested so much money to make AVT/ORAL/CI a big thing- it is very monopoly of AGB organization to use their advantage of wealth to "false advertise" to the public about how wonderful AVT/Oral/CI are. To the public, you need to know the truth- do not fall for this one.
Thank you so much for this peice. I think that hearing loss is something that most parents take for granted. I know I did... our first son who is now only 5 months old was recently diagnosed with profound hearing loss. As a parent I am feeling so alone and overwhelmed, but seeing this makes me feel so much better. It's good to know the technology we have available... and good to see TV shows such as yours making the public more aware of this disability. Thank you!
