{"id":9699,"date":"2024-03-05T15:19:53","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T15:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2024\/?p=9699"},"modified":"2024-03-05T15:19:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T15:19:53","slug":"where-do-cochlear-implants-fit-in-deaf-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2024\/2024\/03\/05\/where-do-cochlear-implants-fit-in-deaf-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Where do cochlear implants fit in Deaf culture?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

After watching the film \u2018The Sound of Metal\u2019, I realised that my previous perceptions of hearing loss didn\u2019t consider the personal nuances and complexities that are integral to the Deaf community. The film follows a drummer who suddenly loses hearing in both ears. It is a highly personal portrayal of the different perspectives on\u00a0hearing loss and the difficulties of adjusting to cochlear implants. What struck me the most (spoiler alert!) was the main character\u2019s initial disappointment when getting fitted with a CI and the reaction of the deaf community he lived with to his decision. Following\u00a0a fascinating lecture from Nicci Campbell, I decided to explore the perceptions of cochlear implants within Deaf culture further.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Cochlear Implants?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Diagram of an in-situ cochlear implant. (NIDCD, Cochlear Implants).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Cochlear implants are small electronic devices that aid hearing acquisition and sense of sound in profoundly deaf or hard of hearing individuals (NIDCD). The instrument picks up sound through the microphone. Sound is then arranged by a speech processor and transmitted as an electrical signal to the electrode array, which sends the electrical impulses to various regions of the auditory nerve (NIDCD). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerningly\u00a0socioeconomic status can influence outcomes of cochlear implant surgery, particularly in children (Sharma et al., 2020). I was\u00a0unpleasantly surprised to learn that adults are only entitled to one CI on the NHS. It seems that whilst just one CI may provide sufficient access to auditory stimulation,\u00a0this could intensify the socioeconomic divide in treatment for hearing loss and may prevent a significant increase in\u00a0quality of life of individuals who can\u2019t afford a second implant. One reality star, Daisy Kent, spoke about her hearing loss and stated that since she had the implant she doesn\u2019t have ringing in her left ear, but \u201cin my right ear, I have a ton of ringing\u201d. I think this helps illustrate how only having one CI can prevent a much more desirable outcome for those who can\u2019t afford two.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deaf Culture<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to watching \u2018The sound of metal\u2019, I perhaps wouldn\u2019t have considered that cochlear implants could be such a controversial topic. However it is clear that individual perspectives, particularly within the Deaf community, vary quite dramatically (Li et al., 2024). In the film, the main character joins a deaf school, and is told to leave once he secretly pays for cochlear implant surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some members of the deaf community see CI as a threat to Deaf culture. I think this highlights the rich history of communication and adaptations of people with hearing loss. To understand this further I have included a brilliant Ted Talk by Glenna Cooper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n