Cochlear Implantation

In individuals with profound sensorineural hearing loss, the hearing mechanism, specifically the cochlea, does not function properly and is incapable of transmitting sound signals to be processed in the brain. However, a relatively recent medical innovation involving cochlear implants allows these individuals, who would otherwise be deaf, to perceive sound. Cochlear implantation is a safe procedure performed on individuals with profound sensorineural hearing loss in which an electric device is surgically embedded behind the ear. The cochlear implant acts as a transducer, collecting sound and converting it to an electrical signal that bypasses the defective hearing mechanism, and directly stimulates the acoustic nerve. The sound signal then
Take, for instance, the daily interactions that occur at restaurants, workplaces, sporting events, and other social settings. The ability to listen, understand, and interact with others is crucial in all of these situations. Due to this, deaf individuals often require the aid of others to interact effectively with those that do not know sign language. While there has been increase in the awareness of the needs of the deaf population, and special services have been offered more frequently, it is simply disadvantageous to be deaf in this society. That is not to say that deaf persons cannot achieve incredible goals and lead accomplished lives, it just makes it more difficult to attain. For example, consider a situation in which a big company is conducting interviews for a particular job position that would involve a lot of communication. Say there are two individuals that both have the same accomplishments, work ethic, ambition, and qualifications for the job, but one is deaf and only communicates through sign language. It is likely that the individual probably would not be favored for the position, simply on the basis of being deaf, although, fortunately, there have been laws enacted that protect persons with disabilities from being disregarded in such situations. Even still, this scenario is unlikely to occur in the first place because the deaf individual probably would not have had the
One the one hand, cochlear implants appear to be a threat to Deaf culture and potentially undermines the lives of Deaf persons, as the procedure is conducted with the intent to spare children from the despair of being deaf. This is an issue because Deaf persons cherish their deafness and actually prefer to be deaf. Moreover, labeling deafness as a disability, a word sometimes associated with a potent stigma, promotes the idea that those experiencing deafness do not have meaningful lives. On the other hand, society is engineered for the hearing population, as the majority of persons have an intact hearing mechanism. To be deaf in this society results in costly accommodations and numerous disadvantages. In addition, some argue that it is not appropriate for the Deaf community to expect hearing parents of deaf children to refrain from getting cochlear implants solely for the purpose of preserving Deaf culture. Ultimately, it is solely the decision of parents to decide if their deaf child should undergo cochlear implantation, and I feel that they are not obligated to ensure that Deaf culture lives