Comments on: AGBell In Bed With Cochlear Implant Companies

By: Lolypup

Lolypup — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:22:36 +0000

Ive been busy but I decided to FINALLY go over and take a look at the AGB website. I looked under sponsors the same information that Mishka provided above and imagine my suprise when both Gallaudet and NTID are listed as sponsors also.

Of course Mishka didnt bother to share that bit of information. I guess AGB cant be all bad if they pull sponsors from all segments of society. Unlike DBC who by the way should change their names to DAC as I dont see them advocating Englisg equally with ASL nor do I see them advocating bilingualism equally, its all ASL all the time.

Oh’ well, such is life!

By: K.L.

K.L. — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:14:09 +0000

ChrisH,
If the implant works to the person’s expectations, it can make their life easier. The only people who can answer you about if it improves their quality of life would be the individual implant recipients. I cannot say if it improves their life.

By: K.L.

K.L. — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:32:33 +0000

ChrisH,
Yes, if they want it removed, it can be removed. Unless it is bothering them, it is easier just to leave the processor off and not use it, but it can be physically removed if they want to go through the explant surgery.

By: ChrisH

ChrisH — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:29:43 +0000

K.L, Do you think Deaf wear cochlear implants do improve lives?

By: Mishka Zena

Mishka Zena — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:23:44 +0000

Lolypop, if people are fully aware, then there would be no need for Chronicle of Higher Education to publish that article in the first place. I guess they think we are very stupid, too.

How can the parents know that they are not being given the full information to make informed decisions, if the experts and cochlear implant advocates are busy sweeping not so positive results under the carpet? With this knowledge, they will research further and hopefully will get sufficent data to make informed choices.

By: ChrisH

ChrisH — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:20:54 +0000

K.L Deaf aren’t allowed to remove cochlear implant?

By: K.L.

K.L. — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:12:00 +0000

ChrisH,
Thank you. That last post was far more articulate than the one where you called me a retard.

Unfortunately, kids cannot raise themselves. Since the decision about implants must be made as early as possible in order to have the highest success with the fewest problems, it is unrealistic to wait and let the child decide. That is what the parents are for.

By: Mishka Zena

Mishka Zena — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:09:14 +0000

K.L. I’ve continued my research long after I stopped the blog coverage. My statements are based on the current results. I still see AGBell and C.I. advocates ‘denying’ these issues.

Doctors’ responsibilities are implantations of the devices successfully with minimal complications. They explain the risks of the surgery and what the realistic expectations are from the devices.

However, as a top-leading organization on oralism, AGBell is responsible for providing fully accurate information on oralism with cochlear implants. This includes both the positives and not so positive results. So far, it has not, misleading some parents.

By: Lolypup

Lolypup — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:01:58 +0000

Mishka your blog post was not completely about the ethics of an organization. It was about transparency also. My comments have focused entirely on the transparency issue. I have not said anything about the ethics of AG Bell nor will I.

I was just commenting that while you claim AG Bell has not been transparent, I disagree because AG Bell is extremely transparent about their mission and their supporters even those by major CI Corporations.

The issue of whether that support is ethical or not is not up to me. However I appreciate the fact that you go through the trouble of telling us its NOT ethical opposed to letting us make those informed decisions on our own.

One of the biggest problems in the deaf community is the inability to think outside the box and conceptualize independent thought but how can we when people like you continue to feed us information that you feel we should follow verbatim.

By: ChrisH

ChrisH — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:58:37 +0000

K.L

I support all Deaf children have the right to make their decision.