I was reading the blog by Jared Evans about cochlear implant and how the users are "trapping themselves into obsoleteness." I had to chuckle because it shows his ignorance of cochlear implant technology. The one should check the facts before they write anything about the topic. I myself have two cochlear implants and have no regret of getting them. I was informed my surgeon that I can do genetic therapy to restore my hearing to its natural state when it is widely available. From various tests that I undergoed to measure my residual hearing before and after the implantations. I am proud to say that the residual hearings that I have are preserved beautifully in both ears. So I am not worrying about my natural hearing cells being damaged by the electrode arrays.
The researches proved that the current generation of cochlear implant devices are able to mimcs the full tonal range accurately. There are so many users that are very successful users who benefit from their devices are the walking and living proof that it actually does work!
In my own opinions, cochlear implant is the best technology available for the deaf. Without them, I know I will be in the rut not where I am right now...
Sunday, August 31, 2008
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29 comments:
Once you mechanized your ears, you will need to upkeep the mechanized device to have it running effectively or you'll be in a rut.
Jared will never be in a rut, he can communicate to millions of Deaf people with ASL or reading/writing with the society.
Deaf community is never in a rut, it is the oppressed society makes it appears that the Deaf community is in a rut.
Interestingly, upon reading how you express yourself via written English, for a graduate, you make the same mistakes in your command of English as a "Deaf, ASL-centered" individual of a particularly struggling, low level.
Researches on Miscue Analysis would most definitely categorize or place you on the side of average mistakes commonly made by the linguistically non-fluent.
And, with cochlear implants, spoken English is relatively your first language. To even not be fluent in one's own native language is a sad sight at best, indeed. But, perhaps, in time you will be able to finally navigate.
Rut? Any path of and in living is always a variation of possibilities one could have from life whether you choose or not; paths are there to be either unexplored or explored. In one path, yours would easily be the rut.
It is all about perspective. And the main idea behind Jared's ignorance is the fact that you belong to a group of people who have a device(s) in their head; byproducts of an evolving technology. You are as obsolete technologically-wise as the devices themselves are. That is either good or bad. Genetic engineering or therapy is, in Jared's view, symbolic of the presumably higher value, power or position ideologically---in terms of technology. You are virtually obsolete, in that ideology about technology of his.
*comforts you*
-Faded Ode
Reading your response really disgusted me. It takes a deficit thinking person like yourself to assume that deaf people without Cochlear Implants shall be labeled as "RUTS".
I never feel rut in my life! I work and teach to total thousands of University hearing students for eighteen years. I have eight deaf brothers and sisters, and two deaf children. They work at their jobs serving people whether to deaf or hearing communities. They all have wonderful jobs and wonderful minds. I have two deaf grandchildren. They are adorable and brilliant.
Can I label you as a deficit thinking person for calling us rut for not having cochlear implant?
We are sickened by your frivolous comment about Deaf people as ruts.
Your attitude and behaviour are unacceptable and despicable.
It is too bad that your comment is absolute audism.
Deafchip
Deaf boy,
I don't think cochlear implants are necessary for anyone, but I was willing to respect your opinion in your post until you said you'd be in a ruts [sic], which is very insulting and dismissive of my, and many others' experiences.
You have your nerve saying that. If you're happy with your implants and where you are, I have nothing against that. But how dare you imply that you wouldn't have had a good life without implants? It would have been different, but it doesn't mean that it wouldn't have been a good one.
I am so grateful I'm Deaf and part of the signing community. I have had so many opportunities I would never have had. Meeting people, job opportunities, travel, and a lot more. My life is definitely NOT a rut, sir.
You are free to have your opinions and to be proud of your experiences, of course. But please don't ever dismiss others' experiences again.
I laugh at you. Your thinking process is pretty fucked up.
"In my own opinions, cochlear implant is the best technology available for the deaf. Without them, I know I will be in the rut not where I am right now..."
It is so screwed that you think the little lifeless device is the reason why you are not in rut. You implied that Deaf people who are not using CI device are in the ruts. You are definitely in rut because you only can see the dungeon's wall. You aren't being able to see the real world of Deaf. In fact, there are many successful Deaf people out there. They are doing very well without using the cochlear implant device.
Thanks for your time to read...
Lee Ann
Have you read Paddy Ladd book - Deaf Culture and Deafhood.
When you read the book and respond to me alright.
As a fellow bilateral implant user, I understand your posting. I also read Jared Evan's blog and could not believe the false information that he is posting.
Never in a million years did I know that cochlear implants topic would be a hot topic. It is a shame that there is not common ground. It is also a shame that you are being flamed for a word, grammar, and just downright negative comments. Don't take these comments personally just enjoy your life.
Hugs,
Valerie
As a Mom to a five year old Deaf child I'm deeply disturbed by the negativity and name calling of some of the commenters... I'd hoped for more from the Deaf community for my son and what ever choices he makes....
How about supporting each other and letting someone have their own opinions on THEIR OWN BLOG...
Anyone can make their own opinions. Many Deaf people and I are deeply offended by his comment: ruts. That I find is unacceptable and degrading. I believe my comment is appropriate to make sure he will not do it again. I have no problem with his own personal opinion as long as he does not make any offensive comment toward anyone personally.
Deafchip
Perhaps he was referring to himself, not the Deaf Community. I did take a double-take when I saw the word rut... then when I reread the sentence, he was talking about his personal feelings, how he felt without a cochlear implant
I know some people who would feel lost without their hearing aids or cochlear implants. That doesn't mean they will feel the same way about Deaf people not wearing c.i. or hearing aids, just sharing their personal experiences.
I could be wrong in this case, but that's the impression I get. I can see how it can be interpreted differently by others, though.
It would help if you clarify exactly what you mean with that rut comment. Were you referring to yourself or do you also mean Deaf people who don't wear cochlear implants?
To Whom it May Concern
An opinion from an ignorant person on their blog that spreads the stigmatization thoughts that a deaf person without mechanized hearing device to be labeled as a rut is the main reason why the Deaf community are working together to stop this nonsense.
Alexander Graham Bell stigmatized the world that the word D E A F is a “four letter word”. It has gotten so bad that majority of the parents of deaf children used “hard of hearing’ or “Hearing Impaired” and refuse to say that their children is “deaf”, all because of the stigmatization.
Now, we need to stop the future “newly” stigmatization words such as “RUT”.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!
I find it interesting for you to feel this way. AS a HA user myself, I know it may feel weird not to use it for days because it became a habit for me wearing HA while growing up. I would understand for people who grow up with hearing technology and became accustomed to it then all of sudden to be asked to let it go would be difficult. That, I understand...but if I were to let go wearing HA, (mind you, there is only a slight difference between me and the CI users when it comes to listening) I would not choose the word rut because I am surrounded with loving, caring and understanding people.
Yes, the word "rut" is a strong choice of words to describe your opinion if you don't wear a CI. Your personal opinion may give an impression to readers that all Deaf people are better off with it and that without it, they are isolated.
Of course, it made me squirm in my seat knowing that it is not necessarily true for other Deaf people. I have Deaf parents, Deaf children and Deaf relatives who don't wear any listening devices and they definitely found their ways to communicate with hearing people in their workplace, neighbors, schools, etc.
I have concluded that it doesn't have to do with listening devices but personality and social I.Q. I have a Deaf nephew who doesn't wear any listening devices, uses ASL and is not afraid to interact with hearing people everywhere. While growing up, he was immersed in the hearing world. He ended up having a lot of friends (some of them learned how to sign), involved in a pro baseball league as a bat boy and much more. He is very assertive, not shy, and confidence that help him shape his perspective of the world which is mostly positive.
It is just sad for you to think that way about ending up in a rut if you don't use a CI. CI is not necessarily a solution since it is evident from some of the commenters' experience, including myself, that there is a life without it.
Many Deaf people, including me, can do well without hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Why do you feel you are in a rut if you don't have your cochlear implants?
There is a need for CI people and signing to stop the carping and get on with each other, neither sign language nor an Implant, is an effective 'replacement' for a decent pair of ears. Each to his or her own, BUT, let's all accept each other regardless. Anti-CI rants are boring, so are PRO ones if they are suggesting it is better, everything is relative....
I wasn't even in SLC that time like I told you countless time that I was in DC. I don't need to defend my action...
What is wrong with you people?
Shirley, deaf boy feels that he would be in a rut without his C.I. as do I without my hearing aid, but I'm very positive he did not say people without C.I. is in a rut! Gosh! Can't he express how he would feel without one, that does not necessarily mean those without a C.I. is in a rut. He's talking about himself.
Shirley, You call someone a deficit thinker, ergo, you are one.
That's what I've been saying all along, who's been starting name callings.
David, he did not say deaf people are in a rut. He was talking about himself and how he would feel if he hadn't had one.
Ridor, if you dismiss him, you'd not respond. But, because you responded.....ha you're a joke.
Those of you that took the word RUT personally, needs to get a life.
Seriously!
I definitely would feel like I'm in a RUT!! if my hearing aid battery went out or was broken. That is HOW I FEEL, but, I definitely would not look at deaf people being in a rut. And I understand some people do not feel that way being deaf and not needing any devices, great! It's how you feel about your situation that matters the most.
Unbelievable.
It's no wonder, some of you are going to have a hard road ahead of you while other will find their road a bit easier. It's how you look at things in life.
Lighten up!
Wow...
Jarom post just sets out to clarify a myth, a very old myth at that and the majority of the people that have left comments just blow right past the facts and make a big stink over his right to his own personal opinion?
I have to agree with him, without my CI I would be in a complete rut because I don't have that choice, that option to chose whether I want to hear. Without my CI, I would be up shits creek without a paddle and I for one, am very thankful that I have that option. Perhaps you should take a step back and realize that others like to live a little differently before you get on the defensive side.
Candy,
He said," Without them (devices), I know I will be in the rut not where I am right now..."
In my view, it is what he called Deaf Community, the rut! If he means otherwise, I will accept it.
Lighten up, too!
Deafchip
Take English 101.
It appears that you do not understand the concept of "read between the lines". I suggest you take English course just one level below mine.
Deafchip
Reading between the lines is reading something that isn't there! It leads to lots of misunderstanding, often. :)
One level below English? Been there, done that.
J, curious here. Have you been using c.i. most of your life? Can you understand the words?
A friend with a c.i. told me recently she felt lost when it died, even though she couldn't understand the words. Yet another friend had her c.i. off for one year due to malfunctioning and though she loves the device, she doesn't feel lost without it. I thought that was interesting. She can lipread well, though. I guess it depends on the individual.
Mishkenza-
Yes, I had ci for many years. I can understand words very clearly. I can understand most people clearly and like I said long time that I had to get one ci replaced because it just failed and I was so lost because I totally depends on it to get through the day of hearing. I know many friends who don't have one and they are doing wonderfully with their life. For many deaf people, being able to hear is not that important which is fine and I respect that. But for those who like to hear or depends on hearing... I am sure they would feel the same way I do if they don't the processor on, the device itself failed, or whatever.
J, I understand completely. Thank you for explaining. I am glad you could benefit fully from the use of the cochlear implant, including comprehension of words.
In case you may be wondering, I don't judge Deaf people if they get C.I.s. It's not even an issue for me.
:o) My son is just like you... he can't live without his hearing aids (no, he does not have CIs, but I know it is a matter of timing before he decides to go for the CI avenue.) Like you, he is very aural, feeling comfortable with hearing people, etc. Yes, he attends the deaf school mostly for social reasons, (he takes academic classes at his local middle school.)
There is NOTHING wrong with some deaf people feeling the need to hear all the time.
I will have to agree with Candy, et al, on what he said about "rut."
"In my own opinions, cochlear implant is the best technology available for the deaf. Without them, I know I will be in the rut not where I am right now..."
He was referencing that word about himself being in a rut had he not gotten a cochlear implant. He was quite explicit in using the word "I" to mean himself throughout his blog. Though he did say that cochlear implant is the best technology available for deaf people and not necessarily Deaf people. There are more deaf people than Deaf people with many of them late deafened and others born with a hearing loss who can and do benefit from cochlear implant technologies.
What I am seeing is a knee jerk reaction to the word "rut" thinking it apply only to them if they do not get cochlear implant. I can that it was never the case. And if people persist on name calling then it would only be indicative of their failure to provide any clear thinking, objective arguments.
Matheson, good blog on your opinion about cochlear implant. If it benefits you well, then it benefits you well and nothing more. Stick to your guns. People are apt to try and twist your words and to make you the bad guy. I know. I've gone through that knowing full well I've been right all along.
Wow, such a sensative culture.
My 9 month
old son is getting bilateral CIs tomorrow, after reading how the deaf culture thinks I'm so happy he won't be part of it. That may be a mean thing to say, but just read what you people are writing. Its horrible. The original blogger expressed an opinion and you all jumped all over it.
Is it jealousy? Are you angry for other reasons? You people need to just relax and take a walk or something.
To Jesse: Don't gloat too hard over your "victory" in keeping your child away from the Deaf culture. What will your reaction be if your son seeks it out for himself? "Stay away from those nasty people, or else?" Here's a clue for you: a deaf person with bilateral CIs is still deaf.
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