Cochlear Implants Deaf Community

Question: What is name of movie about cochlear implant decision? It's about two families with kids deciding about cochlear implants for their kids versus participation in the Deaf community.

Answer: the Hallmark movie, "Sweet Nothing in my Ear," featured Marlee Matlin, Phyllis Frelich and Jeff Daniels. The movie is based on a Broadway play. The movie tackles the controversy surrounding cochlear implants, similar to the movie Sound and Fury, which portrayed two families making different decisions about getting cochlear implants for their children. However, the one family in Sound and Fury went on to get a cochlear implant for their child after the movie was completed. A NY Times Review on Sound and Fury: New York Times Review Cast, Credits & Awards Readers' Reviews Skip to next paragraphMovie Review Sound and Fury (2000) April 8, 2000 FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW; A Tight Little Island In the World of Deafness By ANITA GATES Published: April 8, 2000 To many people it's an unexpected viewpoint. ''When all three of my children were born deaf, too,'' says Peter Artinian early in the film ''Sound and Fury,'' ''I thought, 'Great.' '' And he is not being ironic. A documentary about cochlear implants, the relatively new devices that allow many deaf people to hear, may not sound like anyone's idea of compelling filmmaking, but Josh Aronson's ''Sound and Fury'' -- which follows two branches of a Long Island family through the decision-making process about the implant's use -- is powerful, insightful, important and emotionally wrenching. The implant is a miracle, really. Most hearing people would assume that any loving parent of a hearing-impaired child would want this piece of medical technology for that child, because it would ease his or her way in the world enormously. For that reason Mr. Artinian's attitude may come as a shock. Mr. Artinian, his wife, Nita, and their three children are deaf. His daughter, Heather, decides she wants an implant. He is opposed. Chris Artinian, Peter's brother, is not deaf, but he and his wife soon learn that their newborn son is. And they very much want him to have the implant surgery. The opposing viewpoints make for painful family confrontations. ''It's not intended for people to have a handicap,'' says the children's grandfather, who is not deaf, to his son, Peter, over cake and orange juice at the kitchen table. ''If I didn't know you, I would say you were an abusing parent.'' The complicating factor here is deaf culture, the emotional and social bond among nonhearing people who use American Sign Language and have come to cherish their silent world as special and worth preserving. The eagerness of loved ones to jump on the cochlear implant bandwagon comes as a betrayal to some. As Peter says to his mother during a backyard get-together, ''I didn't know that you didn't accept deafness until now.'' ''Sound and Fury,'' which is being screened today and tomorrow as part of the 29th New Directions/New Films series at the Museum of Modern Art, is asking some big questions. In a socially aware, socially sensitive culture, we profess to believe that no particular skin color, religion, sexual orientation, political ideology, chronological age or physical attribute is superior to another. We say, in fact, that differences should be celebrated; thus the corporate buzzword of the moment: diversity. Are the deaf parents in this film calling the culture's bluff? Or is a physical disadvantage truly something that should be celebrated? Do parents have a right to keep their children at a remove from the hearing world just because, in their opinion and experience, deaf is beautiful? Have we gone so far in our fear of offending anyone that we now advocate disadvantages' being deliberately preserved? Or do the hearing-impaired have a right to rear their children within a somewhat separatist subculture? The Amish have been doing that for quite a while. The most telling event in the film is Nita Artinian's change of heart. In the beginning she supports her daughter Heather's request for the implant and, in fact, wants one herself. But after Nita learns that the implant will be far less helpful to her as an adult, she changes her mind. ''We're afraid that the cochlear implant will change her identity,'' says Nita after a visit to a preschool class of children with implants. Later, in a scene between mother and daughter, Nita uses the word ''we'' in discussing the decision. Heather corrects her with ''I thought you decided.'' Nita answers: ''Don't you remember? We decided together.''

Question: How does the deaf community feel about cochlear implants?

Answer: Look at articles written about Cochlear implants. The site below has a couple of them, watch for "mapping the cocklear implant" and also the article about the pre-school.

Question: Why are certain people in the 'deaf community' so hostile to those who get cochlear implants? Seriously, if I was deaf and able to undergo a procedure that would help me to regain some of my hearing, you'd think that fellow deaf people would be happy for me. Instead, I hear that some (in the deaf community) are quite hostile toward those who opt for this procedure. I'll tell ya what, though...I'd rather hear a little, then be part of a "community" that celebrates not being able to hear. What's the deal?

Answer: Many deaf people consider deafness not so much as an affliction but as a lifestyle. If something comes along that threatens the lifestyle, they feel as though their toes have been stepped on. Deaf people have as much right to foibles and pettiness as anyone else.

Question: Why are cochlear implants considered a "hot topic" in the Deaf community? What's the debate? What are the reasons some people oppose them?

Answer: Nothing can take culture away from anyone, but some Deaf people believe that this technology threatens Deaf culture by erradicating the need for sign language. (this isn't true) Many Deaf people don't have a problem with cochlear implant technology. They DO have a problem when professionals like speech pathologists, audiologists, teachers...etc..tell new parents of deaf children that the implant will "fix" their child. This just is not true. Its frustrating and only leads to these children doing poorly in school and becoming severely langauge delayed.

Question: How does the deaf community feel about the cochlear implant?

Answer: There are a great percentage of the deaf community that disagree with the use of cochlear implants, because they feel they are not gaining hearing, but rather losing their cultre. Those who are profoundly deaf see it as a further disabiltiy to be taught to speak because they will never have the same skills as a fully hearing person will and therefore will still be disadvantaged in society. Therefore they feel they should still do what comes naturally rather than something that is fake and forced.

Question: Any ideas how to publicise that Wales now denies adults the right to a cochlear implant-Ideas how to proceed? I have been been on the cochlear implant program for over ten years now and it was finally going ahead but I have just had a letter off my consultant Jonathan Osborne FRCS at Glan Clwyd Hospital at Rhyl, Denbighshire, that now it cannot go ahead because the Health Commission Wales have now decided to denies all adults in Wales a cochlear implant. This is a devastating blow. Wales is the only home nation to deny this treatment to deaf people. This is a cruel policy to a profoundly deaf person who has lived all her life in the hearing community. My parents sent me to a hearing school - they did not believe in deaf schools or deafness training , so I have lived all my life in the hearing world. It is very difficult being a profoundly deaf person in the hearing world. Deafness is an unseen disabilty and it causes many many problems, and it is very stressful in all aspects of life. Any ideas how to deal with Wales acting and behaving like a third world country? Thank you Purplemoon -thanks for your answer but the ironic thing is that I used to live over the border in England. Some years ago I moved over into wales when I downsized my house to a bungalow. It was only just recently I was told that had I stayed in England in the same place where I lived before, then I would still be eligible for the cochlear implant becasue Glan Clwyd have an agreement that they have to do so many cochlear implants for that place. So unknowingly I messed up my chances for the cochlear implant. If I went to another hospital in England it would only be if they had an agreement with Wales to do the cochlear implant and I am not aware of any such agreement, and in any case I would start at the bottom of the list again and I then may be too old for them to agree to do it when I get higher up the list. So it is a cock eyed situation, but not as simple as we are led to believe that you can go anywhere within the NHS.

Answer: How about approaching the Western Mail in order to publicise this? Can the NDWA do any campaigning for you? Can your MP help? Meanwhile, does Mr Osborne have any influence in hospitals over the border? When one of my sons was briefly in the Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool some years ago I noticed how many children from Clwyd were in-patients there. Are these borders as inflexible as you have been led to believe? I do wish that I could offer help, and meanwhile all I can offer is my sympathy.

Question: CI Questions for Research Paper? How long have you been implanted? Why did you decide get implanted? What made you decide to get the implant? Where do you hear the sounds- on the side of your head above your ear or in your ear? Do you understand the sounds that you are hearing? Why ot why not? Do you hear better than what you did before you got the implant? If yes, how much better? If no, will you stop using the implant? Do you see yourself in the deaf or hearing community? What do hearing people do when they see that you have an implant? Do you feel accepted by the deaf community? What do interpreters need to know about working with people who are implanted? Did you go to speech therapy? If yes, how long? If no, why didn't you needtherapy? How do yo feel about cochlear implants now that you have one? WOuld you recommend a cochlear implant to a person who is thinking of getting one? I have three more questions which I will ask in another question with the same heading.

Answer: How long have you been implanted? For about four and a half years. Why did you decide get implanted? Well, my parents wanted me to get implanted because they wanted me to hear and communicate with them. What made you decide to get the implant? Actually, when I moved to Canada and went to the first school and my teacher told my parents about Cochlear Implant. They were interested in Cochlear Implant for me. Where do you hear the sounds-on the side of your head above your ear or in your ear? In the ear. Do you understand the sounds that you are hearing? Of course, I practiced listening and right now I do understand what the sounds are. Do you hear better than what you did before you got the implant? If yes, how much better? If no, will you stop using the implant? Completely much better. I can't explain. Lol! Do you see yourself in deaf or hearing community? Well, I am in middle. What do hearing people do when they see that you have an implant? Well, sometimes hearing people can be stupid and treat me like a maid. But many people are so sweet and helpful when I need something so I can hear. Do you feel accepted by the deaf community? I don't know. Sorry. Why do interpreters need to know about working with people who are implanted? I am sorry, but I do not know what interpreters means. Did you go to speech therapy? If yes, how long? If no, why didn't you need therapy? I definitely need speech therapy because I need to know how to speak correctly so I can communicate with hearing people. How do you feel about Cochlear Implant now that you have one? I feel HAPPY! Would you recommend a Cochlear Implant to a person who is thinking of getting one? HIGHLY recommended. Good questions.

Question: Insurance Woes? Due to strong political pandering to members of the LGBT community, the company that I work for has gotten the group insurance plan that I am in now to cover gender-reassignment surgery. Well this wouldn't bother me if it wasn't for the fact that this same insurance company requires members to pay out of pocket for insulin, lancets, or testing machines for diabetes, oxygen for those with COPD, and labels cochlear implants for those who are deaf as experimental, and it also excludes orthognathics for those with congenital disorders of the jaw.. Is this fair, shouldn't those seeking surgery to cut of their testicles pay for it themselves. Especially since many other operations that improve quality of life for their recipients are not covered because they are not life threatening.

Answer: But how many people in your group plan will actually have gender re-assignment surgery? Probably not many - if any at all. However, many more people will need insulin, lancets, testing machines, oxygen. It's possible that this is just a business decision - not a political one- - they can offer gender re-assignment surgery knowing that the likelihood of anyone using it is slim to none. But they would pay out much more for diabetic supplies. There are many more diabetics out there than trans-gendered folks.