Our decision on a cochlear implant.

Abstract

This essay sets forth why we, the hearing parents of a profoundly deaf child, have chosen not to seek a cochlear implant for our daughter. In controversial matters, participants in a debate should set forth, as best they can, their prejudices and biases (which are not necessarily bad things), thereby allowing others to assess the degree, if any, to which their positions might be based on feelings (however understandable) vs. facts. I do so in this essay first by describing who we are and how we view deafness and Deaf culture, and then by discussing our daughter Margaret and how we see her being affected by our decision about cochlear implantation. I then briefly consider some unconvincing reasons offered against implants, and conclude with a few thoughts on the decision process.