Deaf Teenager Against Cochlear Implant

Discussion of an Implanted Teen's Experience

"I didn't say that everybody has headache...said that "I had headache from the CI" I didn't say that all kids are frequently removed from the classroom for speech therapy, I said "I WAS"...There are people who success with it, there are people who has excellent speech, i know i am one of them! I just dont like being hook up as a machine. I don't wear my CI and I don't struggle to speak without it. I have many deaf friends who NEVER heard their whole life and they have a great speech! They go to mainstream school. Yes, there are people who success with CI AND there are also children who do not success with CI. But chances of children who will success are very good..."
—GOFORIT10
"Our son was implanted last year at the age of 6...It is truely a miracle! He loves his CI and he LOVES to hear..."
—SIGNINGMOMMY
"After the kids we met...knew this was the right road for our son. Incidentally, my deaf mother-in-law was one of the biggest supporters..."
—AKWILINSKI
"...love it...implanted 2 years ago...know a few who stopped...Some couldn't discriminate sounds. Some were embarrassed. Some said it caused health problems...couple...discontinued...in their teen period and now are wearing...leave it alone unless you have pain that you believe is caused by your CI...not aware of possible brain damage caused by unimplantation...discovered that my headaches were caused by improper mappings...had a few vertigo attacks and I wondered if it's because of my CI...hard to prove...feel that the benefits outweight the risks...observed great results with kids who wore CI since the age of 2 or earlier...go to CI support groups...most Deaf friends...have CI now."
—NETROX1
"...parents have NO rights to make decisions... Children should... met several CI users who regret having it while they were little because they had difficult times sometimes during sports...sometimes it cause infections because...skull grows...happy that they can hear, however the problems got in their ways! I think CI should be made decisions by CHILDREN but I strongly recommend having it at late teenager stage or adult...Children do not understand why CI are implanted in their heads...those who do not understand, will be confused...
—PINKCKS
..our son...loves his CI. He understands the risks of contact sports and he wears a helmet...As for the infections you are talking about...This is the first time I've ever heard anyone talk about infections...
—SIGNINGMOMMY
...if my 9 year old decides to stop going to school...I should do nothing. After all, I have no right to make decisions for her...You think children should decide whether or not they want a ci. Please tell me the basis under which a child can make such a well informed and reasoned decision?...I have met hundreds and your "stories" are not the norm. My daughter plays sports and my friends CI children also play sports as well. Most of the CI users...glad either they or their parents decided..."
— RICKAOB
"...hearing...can't imagine what it is like not to be able to hear...many decisions that need to be considered...What happens if you are in danger and those near you do not know that you are deaf? We instinctively yell...warnings of danger...What about the joy of hearing your own child call your name?...thankful that I can hear my favorite songs, tv programs, the leaves of the trees...rain as it falls...birds that wake me ...believe that you will do what is right for yourself...make a list of the reasons you do not want the CI...make a list of sounds you remember...there have been improvements in CI..."
—PAMON
"..If someone does not want a ci for themselves or their child, fine do not get one. Last time I checked, no one was being forced to get a ci. ...What gives you the right to comment on how we are deciding to raise our children and what we have determined to be in their best interests?"
—RICKAOB
"...what it is that the "Deaf" are fearing when talking about CI, Do they really feel that parents are trying to wipe out deafness...crazy notion, ...insinuating that parents are trying to "fix" their kids, that is just as crazy,...all parents view their children as perfect and any one that has done any research into CI knows that it is...a device that AIDS in giving the child some hearing, they are still deaf/DEAF...with a CI they will...have an easier time in general "getting around" in a predominately hearing world...majority of the world is hearing and a deaf child will do sooo much better if given the chance to develop the skills that will help him/her...one of those skills is...spoken language!..."
—IMACUER
"I guess I just don't see what the big deal is. Why are people so afraid? Ignorance! They are scared of what they are not PROPERLY informed about. I get very annoyed at all the untruths I read here! To say one gets infections from their skull growing because they have a CI...The CI is in the cochlea...which is adult size at BIRTH! it doesn't grow!!"
—SIGNINGMOMMY