Cochlear implants are constantly in the news, ranging from the youngest-yet recipient in the UK (7 months) to the gains reported by older recipients.
Certain individuals don’t want to consider an implant, for their own reasons, but the digital hearing technology (and processes) are steadily improving with research advances.
Growing Up With Cochlear Implants
When children grow up with implants, they (and their classmates) quickly acclimatise, even if their families must advocate for teacher education, hearing services and equipment use.
‘Hearing birthdays’ (anniversaries of device-activations) are celebrated by families globally as dates when their lives change with the cochlear implant technology.
For some families, an implant gives their child incidental access to the family’s own culture and to family hobbies like music, recitations, stand-up entertainment or dance.
Adults Benefit From Implants, Too
In New Zealand, an 8,000-signature petition for greater access to cochlear implants with less waiting time was given to government. This post from Australia, tells how a life-changing implant restored vital hearing and minimised the isolation of hearing loss.
Separately, a report from Canada shows implants give wearers a second chance at hearing, and take pressure off everyday verbal communication and interactions.
The most inspiring story is a high-school teacher in California who chose simultaneous, bilateral (two) cochlear implants after being almost completely deaf from birth. He can now identify different bird sounds.
Further Reading
- Cochlear Implants: Insights From Deaf Adults
- A Cochlear Implant – An Individual Perspective
- One Language May Be Best For Kids With Implants
- The Sky’s The Limit, When Parents Are Informed
- Cochlear Implants Alter What It Means To Be Deaf
- Deaf Children ‘Can Learn Their Family Language’
