How can deaf children be exposed to deaf culture if implanted too early?
While it is true that cochlear implants tend to work better if implanted prelingually, I think that if that choice is made — particularly by hearing parents — it is very important that that child is still heavily exposed to the deaf world and ASL, so that as they grow older, they do have options and in that sense can make the choice for themselves. I think that the debate here really lies heavily in identity… in other words, does a cochlear implant make a culturally Deaf person less Deaf in a cultural sense?—Kelly Melville, San Antonio, Texas My son hears music I have been listening with much interest to the show. One of my sons, now 25 years old, lost his hearing as a result of severe head trauma in a car accident a number of years ago. He was fortunate enough to receive a cochlear implant and his hearing was restored, apparently very successfully. He never learned ASL, and was never part of the deaf culture. It was suggested by one caller or guest that the cochlear implants simulat
