Hearing Loss & Deafness Support Group

Hi there, That's hard knowing that your child is deaf but definitely a gift. I myself am not deaf however my partner is deaf and I've had more experience with the deaf community and have learned a lot. I strongly support not getting coclear implants just becuase like you said God made them that way, so there has to be a reason. To my knowledge the best way to get her to fit in the deaf community would be to take her to different deaf events and get her to be around people who are like her. Support her in any way you can, and be active in the deaf community yourself. I'm hearing and i love the community. And reading lips is always a good way to go, it helps. And as she grows older and becomes a young lady being involved earlier in life she will build relationships with people and it will be so much easier on her. I hope this helps you. And if you need anymore advice at all feel free to email me. I love to meet new people, especially in the deaf community.

HOOOORAY! I don't know if you have any idea how happy i am for your decision to not give you blessed daughter a cochlear implant!! Now i can only express my opinion. I am not deaf, i've just taken a bunchof ASl classes and took a look in the history. I agree with the comment above about taking her to deaf events to meet local deaf there. Also i would express that its important for you to learn ASL and get familiar with the local deaf Adults. Deaf adults can help your child understand how it feels to grow up deaf and still have language, culture, and connections. I know that its proven that parents who learn sign and have that communication with their child have higher social and academics. I wish the best of luck for you and have a great day!!

now that 2 years have passed, how are you feeling now. As a teacher for the Deaf and Hard of hearing. I feel a CI is only a tool and it is how you use it that matters. You can still have Deaf culture with it. I think it is important to involve deaf individuals in your daughter's life. In our state we have Deaf Mentors help parents learn sign and guide parents. Get some good educators involved and some social support behind you. I wish you well. We'd love an update.

Speech therapy will help greatly when it comes to speaking. I did it from the time I was 3 years old till I was entering 6th grade at 11 years old. I only have the slightest lisp, but most people don't really notice it. As for learning how to sign is a great way to be supportive of her. There are also daycare and schools that are for kids that are hard of hearing and deaf. But your daughter doesn't have to go to them. You're lucky to have found out early about her hearing. This way, habits and things can be set up for her sooner and getting all the resources that you need for her. I would suggest monitoring her hearing and getting it tested at least once a year. I'm telling you this from my owned experience. The school system tested my hearing when I was a freshman in high school (14 years old) and they didn't test it again until my senior year (17 years old) and it had changed so much, that I had to get hearing aids. From 4th grade till the middle of my senior year, I just had this mic and headphone/speaker thing (also known as a FM system) for my classes. I'm sure she'll fit in fine if she is able to work with it in everyday life.

coming from a person who was born deaf, i am happy that you did not get a cochlear implant for your child. i also think that your child will fit into both communities very well and will always be welcome in the deaf community.

give your child the coclear implant!
if you really love your child you'll give her the choice.
the sugery is not dangerous and has been preforms so often due to how sucessful it is.
if they are too younfg to decide give them the option anyway. let your child choose if they do not like the coclear impantation then they do not have to wear it.
SSE is a good thing as it lets the child develop English skills and still be involved in the deaf community. sometimes i don't know whether i am in the hearing or deaf world but i have the choice. so i hope this helps.

As many people have already said AMEN for not getting a cochlear implant. Not only do I believe that your daughter was meant to be deaf, but also that if she wants to get a cochlear implant then that's her decision to make once she's old enough.
I'm sooo happy that you're concerned about her being able to fit into BOTH communities since I'm deaf.
However, my family is completely hearing. Therefore, they only raised me to be hearing and I've struggled ever since to try and fit into the deaf community. So PROPS to you.
I would recommend that you check out your local deaf community center and see what type of support groups or clubs that they have. Then you can get involved and start incorporating your daughter into that. xxx

Hello, I am not deaf but both my parents were. And I am married to wonderful deaf woman 34 years now. We have 3 kids all of whom are grown. Her parents never learned how to sign. So she had no real relationship with her folks becasue they could not communicate effectively. Writing notes doesn't get it! If I were to give any advise it would be to let her use as much sign as possible. That is her world! Work on pronuciation but not so much as to cause frustration. Many deaf are able to speak effectively but most do not. There are many professional deaf people. Education is key same as for anyone. There is no limit to what your daughter can achieve! Don't know much about Coclear implant. Expensive so we never really looked into it. God Bless! Pokey

I am late deafened, I am 57 yrs old with 4 children. When I was small had measles many times and was very sick. I was in regular school had speech but LIP READING for 8 yrs then as I got older started losing more hearing I was an interpeter for the deaf at church now I need one. I also was an houseparent for deaf ppl learning to deal with life so I learnt with them. I can sign ASL or SIGNED ENGLISH my son=in -law is deaf and we get along great. all of us sign I have the best of both worlds as god intended for me to. Mainstream her with an interpeter that is what my neice does for a job. it is great. Proud of you.