Just finished watching "Sweet Nothing in My Ear." The film brought to my mind the question: at what age is a child old enough to participate in the decision whether to get a cochlear implant? At what age can a child decide for themselves if they want an implant or not? As Bob put it, "no one in the movie asked Adam if he wanted an implant or not."
On another note, the film would have been better without that syrupy music...but then again, it was Hallmark Hall of Fame.
Update: Some readers seem to think that I am asking if a child should participate in the decision. I am asking when is a child old enough to be included on the decision-making? Is an eight-year-old old enough? A nine-year-old? As for what one reader said about Adam not even answering the question when asked if he remembered sound...the movie doesn't tell us WHY Adam did not answer. Maybe he did not answer because of his age. Maybe he did not answer because he *does* remember but does not want to say so.
Do you remember the part where the mother asked Adam if he remembers sound? He didn’t even answer her, and I think that says a lot. I think the age would differ for each child.
As to Jamie’s question, if you’re talking about a child who loses his hearing at an older age, that may be pertinent. However, it is proven that the younger the “ear” the better the results also in terms of how long that “ear” has been stimulated. I don’t think we should be asking parents of newly diagnosed infants or toddlers or young children to wait and ask the child?
Rox,
Maybe he didn’t answer b/c his character did seem to sense the “strife” going on throughout. Not to so sure I got the same read as you on that one?
The movie is, in my opinion, not very satisfying. There’s so much more that could be told in that movie, yet I feel they left out quite a bit, leaving it somewhat half-baked.
Still, it’s fascinating they are using Ojo videophone, heh.
And the captioned movies, the flashing lights, etc. Very good way to show what a deaf person’s life is like IRL. ^^
Do kids make the decision which cars to buy for you? No. Do Kids make the decision to buy foods for you? No. Do kids make the decision to buy house in which county? No. Why? because of no experiences,nor lack of information which kids doesn’t have heavy responsible burden like parent do. Parent are responsible to do their homework to make the decision for the kids. DO YOUR HOMEWORK NOT LISTEN TO OTHERS BUT COLLECT THE INFORMATION. BE WISE.
Asking the child if he remembers hearing sound is very apropos, especially when he is a typical child and forgets the question because at this age, it was meaningless.
However, it lays the foundation for a possible ending to this drama. Instead of chopping it off before any decision is made, it ends with the parents asking the child’s input and reuniting to support the child in what he says. It need not end in a decision for or against the CI, but in the child’s honest questions and attempting to answer them.
Well, yes the mother asked the boy if he remembers sound AT THE WRONG TIME, not in the middle of playing… that is something to talk about AT the table, at home, in a serious environment, not on a playground. Just my opinion.
~ Maria~ Deaf due to meningitis @ 2 yrs old, oral, speaking, no hearing aids. Mother of 2 hearing children. english signing only with deaf friends for their sakes.
Steve, chill out! Jamie was only asking how old children should be when they can make informed decisions as to whether they should get CIs or not. If eight-years-old children can, then why didn’t the parents ask Adam whether he wants a CI or not. I had the same question last night after watching the movie. I am glad Jamie brought up because I would like to know, too. Steve, please read carefully before jumping into conclusions.
I have a deaf son, due to Meninitis at age 2. At age nine, he had a friend (or two) with a Cochlear Implant. He requested one, said he wanted to hear and we proceeded to have the surgery. My son is now 22 and chooses when and where to use the implant. Definately when he goes dancing! And he’s a very good dancer!
I thought the last line in the movie: “We will make this decision AS A FAMILY” was indicative that the parents were going to ask the boy his feelings about the cochlear implant. I didn’t care for his school which didn’t allow CI kids (and probably not hearing aids either!) Most deaf schools I work with certainly do allow CI kids in. There was nothing wrong with presenting the fact that a CI might have allowed him to become bilingual again. Why oh why does everything have to be either/or? Why NOT both? Bi-Bi is the way to go! It might be easier if the kid had a CI!
As a (hearing) parent of a Deaf child I was pretty content with the movie overall, but I was concerned that others wouldn’t see the messages I saw. Right now my daughter attends a bi-bi school but we are considering implanting her. We are being fought by the medical community because they believe that she should be pulled out and put in a mainstream setting. We refuse. ASL is a huge part of her life, as is the Deaf community. We would never trade that for an implant.