Parents of children who use cochlear implants are used to the interest that their child’s cochlear implant receives. There are the stares at the “thing on the kid’s head,” there are the questions, and there are the blank stares that ultimately follow after you inform them that it’s called a cochlear implant.
Occasionally, you do come across someone who actually has heard of a cochlear implant before. However, after speaking with them for a few moments, you may actually wish that they would be from the first group. Most of the time, they tend to have very basic misconceptions about the implant and they are convinced of their truth.
Myths about cochlear implants have plagued them since day one. They are spread either by malicious intent from those that are opposed to its use, such as the deaf culture community; or they are just believed by well-meaning folks who are simply mistaken.
Here is our list of the 5 most common myths that we’ve come across. Although there are plenty more, these are the ones that seem to be the most widespread. It is important that cochlear implant users be knowledgeable enough to dispel these myths by properly educating those that are willing to learn the truth.
1. “Cochlear Implants are imbedded in the brain.”
2. “Children with cochlear implants cannot learn to sing.”
3. “Cochlear Implants are a cure for deafness.”
4. “By Getting a Cochlear Implant, you are “losing out” from being
able to restore normal hearing with some future technology.”
5. “Cochlear Implants are too experimental.”
According to recent studies, only 15% of the deaf population in the United States choose to receive cochlear implants. There are a few reasons cited for this very low number, but one of the major reasons why people don’t consider implants is due to having wrong perceptions of them. It is therefore vital that cochlear implant users be knowledgeable about the process, and that they should be able to dispel the myths that are so prevalent.
It is highly likely that a potential cochlear implant candidate will first discuss the implant with an actual CI user be agreeing to be implanted. By being able to properly respond and inform the candidate, you will be more likely to succeed in convincing the candidate to finally undergo implantation. As is usually the case, cochlear implants dramatically increase the user’s quality of life, and they will ultimately be full of gratitude for assisting them in their decision.
Read the complete article href="http://www.hearingpocket.com/myths.shtml">“Cochlear Implant Myths” that gives you the information to debunk these myths.
This article was authored by the href="http://www.cochlearimplantchild.com">Cochlear Implant Child website, a site dedicated to educating and assisting parents of young hearing impaired children with ways to cope with their hearing loss, primarily through the use of cochlear implants.
Tags: cochlear implant myths, cochlear implants, cure for deafness, deaf
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