To Hear or Not To Hear

We discussed cochlear implants in class this week and at first, as Professor Marable was explaining it, I couldn't come up with a reason why this technology would be a bad thing. We brought up the debate to whether it was a disability or a difference and at first I was strongly sided to the disability argument. However, by the end of class after the videos that he showed and everything we learned about Deaf culture, I have decided that I believe being deaf is a new category: disadvantage. Technically, it is hard to argue that it's not a disability by the dictionary definition: "dis·a·bil·i·ty: A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities." However, I will still call it a disadvantage. The way I look at it, a condition that I would compare it to would be dwarfism because our world is dominated by hearing, normal height people, and some accommodations are made for the small or deaf. It was very inspiring to learn about the people that are deaf and are completely happy being that way in the video he showed us.

I recently met someone that is deaf through a mutual friend and although it was a little bit awkward due to the lack of direct communication that could happen, I'm very glad I met him. He was a speaking deaf person so he could talk to me but I couldn't communicate back to him without the help of the mutual friend that acted as a translator. He played football at Gallaudet University and now coaches at Michigan School for the Deaf, which I thought is really cool that he's able to do that because football is not something you think of as a silent sport by any means. Also, another thing that struck me was that he told us that he liked our music because he could kind of hear and feel the lower bass sounds.

 So now for my personal stance on cochlear implants. I think that if I had a child today that was deaf, I would get him or her cochlear implants as an infant. I just think that if it were me, I would want the option to hear. I feel that if a child that has cochlear implants grows up and wants to learn sign language and return to the Deaf culture, then they have every right to do so; but I also think they should have the option to remain hearing. Although the point got brought up that they are only 70% effective, that can dramatically increase over time with more tests and advancements, just like every other new technology out there. Maybe even someday being deaf will be a thing of the past if the implants become mainstreamed enough. What do you think about using cochlear implants to eliminate deafness?


P.S. How could you not think cochlear implants are a great thing with videos like this out there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTzTt1VnHRM&feature=related

Case Study 5

This case study presents an issue of the paternalism of the health-care professionals and family of the patient restricting the patient's autonomy. I think the approach taken by the medical professionals in this situation was morally reprehensible for a few different reasons. First, I believe the doctor does not have the right to override a competent patient's wishes based on the patient's family's opinions or his own. Ronald X was perfectly aware and understanding of the risks he faces living at home alone with his condition and should keep his right for autonomy concerning his living situation. Also, I found the last sentence especially worrisome because when Ronald still disagreed with his family and the physician, they sedated him so that he would comply; I thought this was a rather extreme method which was unjustified and further contributed to the stripping of his autonomy by external constraints. I feel the doctor only carries the right to compel a patient to live in a nursing home if that patient’s health is in immediate danger from living at home, which Ronald’s was not. Personally if I found myself in that situation, I would urge Ronald to consider a nursing home as an option for his own safety or advise him to talk to his children about other options such as one of them coming to live with him or hiring an at-home nurse so he can maintain some of his independence living in his own home while also being safe.