In the realm of deaf research, I’ve often found myself grappling with questions about cochlear implants and their impact on the lives of deaf children. While cochlear implants serve as a technological bridge to sound, they aren’t the crux of the debate. The real issue lies in whether or not to include signed languages in a deaf child’s upbringing.
Language is more than a means of communication; it’s a fundamental right and a cornerstone for cognitive, social, and emotional growth. For deaf children, having access to a visual language like American Sign Language (ASL) or British Sign Language (BSL) is crucial, especially during those formative years when their brains are most adept at soaking in languages. Without this, many face severe language delays, leading to lifelong hurdles in education, job opportunities, and mental well-being.
Cochlear implants do not promise full comprehension of spoken language, and results can vary greatly, depending on factors like the child’s age at implantation and the quality of auditory training provided, along with individual differences in processing sound. Even when these implants function optimally, they do not inherently simplify language acquisition, nor should they replace the grounding of a signed language.
Studies highlight that being bilingual in both signed and spoken languages boosts cognitive flexibility, academic success, and social integration. Embracing a signed language doesn’t hamper spoken language development; in fact, it can bolster it, serving as a safety net to ensure the child always has accessible communication tools.
Parents are cornered with tough choices, yet they shouldn’t be forced to pick between cochlear implants or a signed language. These two can go hand-in-hand, offering a comprehensive approach that honors the child’s capabilities and humanity. It’s essential for families and professionals to prioritize the linguistic rights and overall wellbeing of the child, crafting a future where language deprivation among deaf children is eliminated.
Dr. Wyatte Hall
Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA
Thank you, Abi Stephenson, for your insightful piece on cochlear implants. Reflecting on my own experience, my wife and I are proud parents of four, the first three of whom were born profoundly deaf. Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge provided incredible support for our family, guiding us through the cochlear implant journey when our kids were still infants, all receiving implants before they turned four. It wasn’t an easy choice, considering the necessary surgery’s invasiveness.
We were constantly second-guessing ourselves. Would our older children grow to resent the decisions we made on their behalf? At that time, with the internet just budding, finding solace was tough, especially against a tide of fierce opposition from places like the US. But as mentioned in the article, we believed we were giving them options—doors they could choose to open or close as they became adults.
Two decades on, our children have flourished. They sign, they speak, they navigate the hearing world, and they cherish their deaf communities. Our eldest has completed her Level 6 BSL course, and our youngest, who was born hearing, is set to become a speech and language therapist this year.
Parents of deaf children often face unimaginable challenges. From skipped birthday parties in primary school and missed SAT exams to low expectations from career counselors, the journey can be lonely and disheartening.
Did we make the right calls? Our children’s lives suggest we did, though my wife and I continue to grapple with moments of guilt.
Simon Gair
Steeple Bumpstead, Essex
Abi Stephenson precisely captured the complexities of deciding on cochlear implants for children. There’s the question of whether to bring them up as Deaf—identifying with the Deaf community and using sign language—or deaf, focusing on oral communication. Personally, as a deaf individual, I was tremendously supported in pursuing a full-time education and a creative career, allowing me an equitable experience in life.
I received my cochlear implant as an older adult, after years in the hearing world with progressive deafness. It enabled me to maintain a well-rounded and fulfilling life, although it required considerable adaptation from myself and my surrounding community. It was taxing even with extensive support.
A less talked-about aspect of deafness is its impact on engagement and relationships. My cochlear implant significantly transformed how I connect with others, reshaping not just my ability to hear music and ambient sounds.
Ruth Holt
Halesworth, Suffolk
Abi Stephenson’s piece was a fascinating read, and I’m pleased to learn her daughter is thriving with her implant. Since the 1980s, I’ve been embedded in the Deaf community alongside my son, who became deaf from meningitis at five months old.
Back in the day, cochlear implants were still experimental. An ENT consultant confirmed his hearing loss, and, after a perceptive nurse’s suggestion, added him to a list to be among the first recipients, albeit in a decade’s time. We were inexperienced, but it seemed promising. Without the dedicated teacher of the Deaf, we would have been utterly lost. Encouraged to try signing, my son flourished linguistically and seamlessly participated in our family and community life.
As a teenager, Tom sought an implant, a journey that entailed years of persistence with the NHS, finally achieving it before his GCSEs.
Many intricacies and debates Abi discusses were ones I reflected on for his biography. Deaf families often pass down a rich culture and BSL through generations. However, sudden deafness didn’t automatically place our son in that world. As Tom Bertling wisely warns, “parents should view warily any push to sacrifice a deaf child to preserve a culture.” My son enjoys both worlds, and his hearing children are bilingual—a testament to this balance.
Jenny Froude
Author of Making Sense in Sign: A Lifeline for a Deaf Child
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