Deafness
A bit of personal background info: I have a cochlear implant, done in the mid-80s. This consists of a surgically-implanted electrode strip inside the cochlea, which bypasses the dead auditory nerve and allows the user to hear again. Sound enters a microphone worn externally, is transmitted via magnet to another magnet embedded underneath the skin, then to the cochlea and the brain. It is not the same as natural hearing, but with practice and time, the CI user will learn to interpret the sounds much as a "normal" person would.
At first, this device was not well-received by the Deaf population (note the capital "D", a symbol of self-importance). Reasons for dislike ranged from having to wear a walkman-sized box on your belt and having wires down your shirt (understandable--I didn't like it either) to "This is just a conspiracy by hearing people to eradicate Deaf culture!" (ah... OK. Some more aluminum foil on that hat?) The questions I got from complete strangers ranged from "How much is that thing?" (none of your business, asswipe) to "Can you shower with it on?" (no, I take it off before showering. Do YOU shower with your hearing aid on, wanker?) Some people also thought that my use of a CI made me some kind of expert on its appropriateness (or inappropriateness) for deaf children. I'm a firm believer that how YOU raise your children is none of MY business, so don't ask me.
Technology has reduced the previous bulky box and wires to a slim aid and magnet that fits behind your ear. In the past several years, the deaf population has seen an increase in the number of people willing to undergo surgery to acquire a CI. Even people in their 60s and beyond, who practically grew up deaf, are getting this done. It appears to be the "in" thing now, akin to getting a tongue stud or a Porsche. Even my wife has one, and I'm happy to say she's doing better with it than I am.
When I first went to college, I might have been the first student at that school with a CI (if someone can prove me wrong, please do, but I know for a fact that I was the first CI user my audiologist worked with). I attended a get-together yesterday for those with CIs and those who are interested in getting one. Nice people for the most part. But... geez. These are the same people who didn't care that I had one 20 years ago. I'm not really sure why I should care that they have one now.
I would safely bet that most of the people I saw yesterday, if they had been asked back then, "would you consider having a CI?", would have responded with a resounding "hell no!" Those young (and old) whippersnappers have it easier these days. They don't have to put up with stupid questions such as "where's the helmet you're supposed to wear to prevent bumps to the head?" (probably in your dorm room, dumbass) or "how do you feel about promoting the destruction of Deaf culture by having that?" (um, like I care?)
At first, this device was not well-received by the Deaf population (note the capital "D", a symbol of self-importance). Reasons for dislike ranged from having to wear a walkman-sized box on your belt and having wires down your shirt (understandable--I didn't like it either) to "This is just a conspiracy by hearing people to eradicate Deaf culture!" (ah... OK. Some more aluminum foil on that hat?) The questions I got from complete strangers ranged from "How much is that thing?" (none of your business, asswipe) to "Can you shower with it on?" (no, I take it off before showering. Do YOU shower with your hearing aid on, wanker?) Some people also thought that my use of a CI made me some kind of expert on its appropriateness (or inappropriateness) for deaf children. I'm a firm believer that how YOU raise your children is none of MY business, so don't ask me.
Technology has reduced the previous bulky box and wires to a slim aid and magnet that fits behind your ear. In the past several years, the deaf population has seen an increase in the number of people willing to undergo surgery to acquire a CI. Even people in their 60s and beyond, who practically grew up deaf, are getting this done. It appears to be the "in" thing now, akin to getting a tongue stud or a Porsche. Even my wife has one, and I'm happy to say she's doing better with it than I am.
When I first went to college, I might have been the first student at that school with a CI (if someone can prove me wrong, please do, but I know for a fact that I was the first CI user my audiologist worked with). I attended a get-together yesterday for those with CIs and those who are interested in getting one. Nice people for the most part. But... geez. These are the same people who didn't care that I had one 20 years ago. I'm not really sure why I should care that they have one now.
I would safely bet that most of the people I saw yesterday, if they had been asked back then, "would you consider having a CI?", would have responded with a resounding "hell no!" Those young (and old) whippersnappers have it easier these days. They don't have to put up with stupid questions such as "where's the helmet you're supposed to wear to prevent bumps to the head?" (probably in your dorm room, dumbass) or "how do you feel about promoting the destruction of Deaf culture by having that?" (um, like I care?)
posted by Papa @ 4:18 PM
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