{"id":10156,"date":"2024-03-25T23:47:06","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T23:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2024\/?p=10156"},"modified":"2024-03-25T23:47:06","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T23:47:06","slug":"are-cochlear-implants-a-sound-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2024\/2024\/03\/25\/are-cochlear-implants-a-sound-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Are cochlear implants a sound decision?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The external bionic ear captures sound waves and converts them into digital signals. An internal receiver-stimulator implant receives these signals and converts them into electrical energy. The electrodes stimulate the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged hair cells, for the user to perceive the signals as sound.<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Following the cochlear implant workshop and ethics lecture, I felt inclined to reflect on the perspective of a cochlear implant user. While there are 12 million deaf people in the UK<\/a>, this figure is set to increase, and there are still not many strategies to accommodate for non-hearers. The only emerging help I have witnessed are the use transcripts at the cinema, conferences or for some university lectures and also offering adjustments on work applications. I am interested in this area primarily due to unfamiliarity, I was uneducated on this area before attending the cochlear implant lecture and workshop within this module.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the cochlear implant is an outstanding technology, but it has its disadvantages such as reimplantation and inability for some users to perceive musical frequencies. Instead of promoting the invasive procedure, I believe that society should make implement compulsory practices like learning sign language in school to slowly accommodate for a growing community. This led me to the question ‘Are cochlear implants a sound decision?<\/strong>‘. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A utilitarianist would encourage non-hearers to undergo this invasive procedure to benefit the ‘greater good’, being the vast number of people that do not have impaired hearing; one person undergoing a procedure is easier than educating millions. To develop my understanding on user experience, I decided to send 8 questions to someone I know has undergone cochlear implant surgery. The questions and answers provided by Participant A are attached below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n