Cochlear Implants

Engineering > Biomedical
English > Argument
Medical and Health > Medical Studies

Cochlear Implants

This paper argues in favor of the use of cochlear implants, which are prosthetic devices that enable the deaf to hear much better than previous innovations, such as hearing aids.

1,280 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains the position supporting cochlear implants for deaf individuals. Generally, when successful, these implants can make deaf people, especially young children, much more able to distinguish auditory phenomena and, therefore, represent progress against the condition of deafness that is assumed to be a disability. The author points out that the argument opposing cochlear implants is more of a cultural than biomedical one; many members of the deaf community are content with their unique culture and do not regard deafness as a disorder to be cured. The paper concludes that the cochlear implants can enhance the lives of deaf people by allowing them to hear and not be segregated into a deaf word; therefore, the author favors the use of these implants.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Supporting View
Oppositional View
Personal Position
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Personally, I think this issue needs to have more public advocacy so that people can really explore the arguments from both sides and see objective portrayals so that they can make up their own minds about supporting or opposing cochlear implants. Most of my personal feelings on this issue support cochlear implants from the perspective of
someone who is not deaf and therefore might not have the sort of empathy for the deaf community that someone inside or involved with this community may feel. That is, I feel dissonance personally at the notion of someone not wanting to hear if they are deaf because it seems that it would be much more convenient to recognize speech and other things in daily life."