The only cochlear implant surgeon in this province says deafness is a disability which is being eradicated in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dr. Tony Batten, an ear, nose and throat surgeon, who has helped many hearing impaired and deaf people get their hearing back, says the technology available now, as well as at-birth screening for every child is resulting in incredibly low rates of deafness.
One of the results of such advances though may be the closure of the Newfoundland School for the Deaf on Topsail Road in St. John's.
"We don't have any children now going to the school for the deaf," Batten says, explaining that children who are born deaf have a good chance at hearing if they get an implant early in life.
"The school for the deaf is being phased out," he says. "Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society."
So sign language is a dying language. It's only for the older people who are beyond the cochlear implant years now.
"It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now."
A cochlear implant doesn't restore normal hearing, but it can help people with certain types of hearing loss.
The implant bypasses non-functioning inner ear hair cells by converting sounds to electronic impulses that stimulate inner ear nerve endings.
Batten did the first implant surgery in Atlantic Canada in St. John's in 1999.
But not everyone who has a deaf child will want them to get a cochlear implant, says the president of the local chapter of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA-NL).
Myrtle Barrett went completely deaf when she was in her mid-20s, but thanks to a cochlear implant surgery, she's starting to hear again.
"I know there will always be some children who are born deaf, and if they have deaf parents, they will refuse to have them implanted. That is happening now. It is sad because the parents are choosing for their children to grow up deaf when they could grow up in a world of sound," Barrett says in an e-mail interview. "The ability to eradicate deafness is a huge possibility now."
But Barrett is also quick to point out that implants won't work for everyone.
If the reason for deafness is in the brain or auditor nerve or if the cochlea, or auditory part of the inner ear, is absent or not fully formed, it may not be possible to surgically place a cochlear implant.
Meanwhile, the province maintains that as long as the services provided through the school for the deaf are needed they will be available.
"The future of the school in large part is going to be dictated based on that and based on the number of the students who continue to require the service and avail of the service," says Education Minister Darin King, adding the drop in enrolment at the school in recent years has been drastic.
In 2001/2002 there were 74 students attending the school for the deaf. Today there are 18.
"We are seeing a decline, but as I said our focus continues to be on the kinds of service and programs that we can provide to the students and we still recognize that many students still provide the service that we can provide there," King says.
"(I) can't say that we're actively looking at closing the school. I can't say that the school won't close itself eventually ... I think people recognize that if the day comes, that if no students avail of the services there, obviously we'll close the facility."
amorrissey@thetelegram.com
Eradicating deafness
Dr. Tony Batten is the only doctor in the province who does cochlear implants. - Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram
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Published on
April 27, 2009
- Published on June 30, 2010
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Alisha Morrissey
School for the hearing impaired could one day be out of business
The only cochlear implant surgeon in this province says deafness is a disability which is being eradicated in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dr. Tony Batten, an ear, nose and throat surgeon, who has helped many hearing impaired and deaf people get their hearing back, says the technology available now, as well as at-birth screening for every child is resulting in incredibly low rates of deafness.
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Comments
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- Jonathan
- - December 20, 2011 at 10:56:17
Dr. Tony Batten, I invite you to watch this link, "What is Normal?" Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La8ChQqeaRU
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- Donna
- - March 8, 2011 at 14:55:42
I don't believe CI because CI is very dangerous. I rather use stem cell than CI!
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- Donna
- - March 8, 2011 at 14:47:03
I don't believe CI because CI is very dangerous. I rather use stem cell than CI!
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- Nicole
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:05:09
I'm hard of hearing, I consider myself Deaf. I'm from St. John's, but have come to Washington DC for the world's only Deaf university... know why? Because Newfoundland is severely lacking the support Deaf people need. There's declining numbers of interpreters and support, more people getting implants for all the wrong reasons.
Dr. Batten is my ENT, but if I have to go and see an ENT in the future, I wouldn't be seeing him. The last time I seen him he was telling me things like, Oh, you're the perfect person to get an implant . I kept telling him that I'm not interested, and he'd keep offering. A doctor shouldn't put that kind of pressure on anyone, just express the pros AND cons then allow people to make the decision for themselves.-
- Lisa
- - March 8, 2011 at 13:52:51
The DRs doing on people to have CI, only want the money badly, not care if the surgery affect them with CI ,like lose the taste, vision, and have bad headaches, infections etc that can be threathened for their life...i am deaf mother of 6 and one of them is hard of hearing...i will never send her to have one till she is older enough to make her decision for that.
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- Admirer
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:05:07
I was hoping one day I may find a Dr in who itself Deaf Doctor out somewhere that can do the same with CI toward hearing people to become deaf.. How do you feel that Deaf Doctor decide to have hearing children to become deaf child?
Where is respects.. God dont make people to become normal person.. God perferred to have the world to become natural without being evil.. A child born deaf by natural with Gods heart..
We do have pos and cons toward CI..
If a person grew up with hard hearing impaired and realize that a person lost his/her hearing.. may need Ci is wonderful support..
If a person grew up with DEAF or Totally DEAF.. Don't control or consider or encourage him /her to have CI due its natural birth to become Deaf with their respects..
ASL is very POWER for Deaf Community's values that they need to live with ASL that people cannot stop us from no signing and use lipreading.. Thats not what God want..
LIVE BY NATURAL LIFE IS VERY BEAUTIFUL.. If LIFE BY NOT NATURAL LIFE is VERY UGLY by EVIL..
Think TWICE...
IM VERY PROUD OF BEING TOTALLY DEAF WITH ASL FLUENT
ADMIRER from Nova Scotia -
- Paige
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:05:03
I read this artile about it.
FOr me.. I did tried get coular implant when i was 13-14, They turned me down and say too risky cuz i am only 13-14 Which i should get when i was 2 to 5. But i am glad i didnt today snice Some my deaf friends say it not helping much just louder , not understand words, etc there no diffrence to do that thing. plus Some deaf people died from that. So i know its risky as other sugerys too.
but Kids might cant do sports due the risky of coular implant, etc alot things that might cant do or can do. Which its crazy. Should stay Deaf that way and proud of it. Techogly went up so fast and get new infomation etc.. We should stay Natural.
but i dont understand that parents focous the kids to do it at childhood snice kids have no power to say NO.. NO means no.. Parnets should know better.. its CHILD;s Body not the parnets.
I am glad my mother waited till i am old eough to make my decision about coular implant.
But Some what sometime i am not impressed snice what my friends feels from what parents did.
i agree some people on Comments
which is sad. -
- Chris Rose
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:04:27
In agreement with many posters here on this particular article. One of these posters, is Graham Forsey.
Graham writes about his own experience with C.I.s and I think it's prudent to note that; not only did he run into several failures to learn English (although his I.Q. just fine) he had several failed surgeries. Not with Dr. Batten, mind you, but he certainly went through his own personal hell because of this technology. Which brings me to conclude the same: It's not a silver bullet.
We need to see deafness as a 'difference' in physical form. This man is deaf. Therefore, if he wishes to hear, I may be able to help him get closer to his goal. I can't rightly say that: Because this man is deaf, I need to fix him.
Yes, young people across the planet are dealing with deafness everyday and could very well benefit from a C.I. but who's to say they don't like it better that way? I'm all for informed decisions. And, making a choice based on information that comes from multiple, reliable sources but sometimes we need to just assume that we're wrong - and ask those in the position themselves.
This post is getting quite long so I'll digress and end with this one thing:
I am not a parent. And therefore can not understand what it's like to see a child that cannot hear, as a hearing person and know that emotion. Is it pain? Is it suffering? Is it sadness? Or is it happiness that you have a healthy child that is happy and goes on living after birth? I'm not sure but what I do know is that I disagree with anyone (hearing or deaf) who would judge a parent for making this decision for their child. We can sit here and wax intellectual all day about making the decision for ourselves, but for a child or even an infant. Cross that bridge when you come to it, beyond that, let it be.
And to anyone here who has dealt with this surgeon in person - just be lucky the worst he did was try to sell you something. Because, it could be a whole lot worse by the looks of it. -
- A
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:04:12
Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. SHAME ON YOU DR BATTEN!!
I guess you don't know sign language and that you don't know the deaf society and it's culture. 'Cause if you did you would never say such insulting things.
A cochlear implant is a fantastic hearing aid and it might work for some (many?) but only in the sence of hearing better. Deaf people have no problems being happy and having a good life. With our without hearing! So please don't set your own standard of living, your own language and your own hearing as being the ultimate. It's not! -
- Mindy
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:04:11
Now listen guys, Define Normal? Think about it...
There's no such thing as Normal or may I say perfectionism.
I am absolutely disgusted with you, Dr. Batten, you do not have a clue what you're saying... now now I can understand if you're getting a bit too cocky, but this???
Everywhere you go, everywhere you look, you see difference race, different culture, different people. You do not see Dr. Batten trying to change someone disabled like forcing someone in a wheelchair to walk? They accept them and make sure everything is accessible for them, but why us? Why the deafness? We may be deaf, but... We have a Language, our own language which is Sign Language. Just like English, there are other spoken languages in the world such as French, German or Spanish... and it is the same for Sign Language.
We have our own rules, our own folklore, our own traditions, etc... that makes a Culture.
You, Dr. Batten, really needs to smarten up a bit. You can't change the world.
Now, I have hearing aids, I benefit from them, but.. Sign Language helped me so much. It also helps my daughter at 6 months old! She got the language at very early age and she has the concept of a language because of sign language, then she was able to speak more than 5 vocabulary at the age of 10 months old. Now she is just two years old, she speaks and signs in sentences.. she knows colors etc...
So, you think you can change a person's life by giving him or her a bit of a hearing, without a language to begin with?
What about the person's future? social life, emotional issues?
So, you are stopping the kids from going to the school for the Deaf, the school that they needs! It is not just a school.... you have to understand that everyone in that school is like each other, no one gets left out. No one gets left out, no one goes home crying and say Mommy the kids pick at me, I cant understand them....
Explain this.
We are the voice of our own language and culture, don't you dare try to oppress us, those days are over.
We should act on this now, the problem is.. he haven't met us yet :) -
- Carrie
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:04:06
I am the mother of a very smart and intelligent deaf child. My son has had been granted the miracle of bilateral cochlear implants. He is in main-stream school and is performing at (or above)grade level.
My husband and I made the decission for him to have hs first cochlear implant when he was 7 months old. We did weeks of reasearch and decided that this was best for him. We are a hearing family and couldn't even consider not getting the cochlear implants.
I feel very strongly that this was the right decission for our family. Obviously, there are many families like us because of the declining enrollment at the NSD. But we all have to remember that our children are still DEAF! That is who they are and nothing will change that, cochlear implant or not.
Dr. Batten is a miracle maker. He deserves nothing but praise! He is a ground breaking surgeon, helping to bring bilaterals as a norm now for kids in Newfoundland & Labrador. His statements on the NSD being phased out are based on facts. Look at the numbers. If in fact it is phased out, then we will need to advoctae to ensure that the resources are going into the mainstream schools to help these kids keep up with their peers. HE did not incinuate that deafness was going to be erased, The Telegram labelled the article as such.
As an ENT, he knows that deafness is incurable, but it is a disability that has a great invention to help the deaf hear - cochlear implants.
Would this be such an issue if I needed a implant to keep my heart beating? -
- Unbelievable
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:57
Ashamed on you Mr. Batten and ALISHA MORRISSEY for this poor researched article, I couldn't believe that Newfoundland's Telegram would dare to run this story on the news for all to see! This article is nothing but biased toward to deaf and CI users! This article need to be well reasearched by interviewing people with CI users and deaf who doesn't wear CI. This insensitivity need to be stopped, whether you are deaf or blind, black or white, whatever happens to equality to all people?
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- Bryant
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:44
I see quite a lot of people are bashing each other on the article. Get over it folks, it is just an article and the press is reporting on a subject that came to light. Get real and get a life, you guys.
I see the rest of you living in isolation and desperation and that is what feeds the ignorance further. Lets get on with our lives.. and that should speak for itself a lot more! -
- Hearing or Not?
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:39
I have been subjected to the same treatment of perfect candidate as Nicole, I still think that Dr. Batten is a knowledgeable ENT doctor in NL. He's loves this ability of his to transform a person life and see the ripple effect from it. Not said nasty, but he has that power and he needs to have that personal satisfaction that he as a doctor can change lives.
The Deaf culture will never disappear, that is a given, but it's nice to know that these people can hear their children, grandchildren or even hear the music that is supposed to soothe the soul.
I too have turned this option down, twice in the last 10 years, but now I am ready to sit down with the information to make an informed decision of whether I want this or not.
Ms. Andrea Reid, it is proven to be more successful with the very young (with no/some hearing ability) and the deaf group than any other group. However, I can only imagine the happiness and satisfaction that you are witnessing as your daughter embraces life with so much less obstacles. It is great.
However, I'm in my early 40's and have been hearing impaired all my life with limited hearing but have a good speaking ability. There are pros and cons to every surgery. So, I'm terrified with my limited hearing that I have now I will not beable to adjust to the new sounds. Once this surgery is done, then whether it works or not, there is no going back. That's the drastic downside.
Oh well, still trying to get informed. Batten will just have to wait as I deal with trying to understand how I can be perfect in an imperfect way. -
- Ted
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:38
The doctors who think Deafness is eradicating, deaf schools phased out and the signing language knows as American Sign Language is a dying language don't deserve Dr before their names. They need to go back to school, they're obviously idiots. As of right now, Deafness can't be fixed or cure not even with CI or hearing aids. It has been that way since the biblical times. Deaf will always be here, like it or not.
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- Hearing person
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:21
I think The Telegram missed a valuable opportunity to write a nuanced article about a controversial subject. With apologies to Ms. Morrissey, this was clearly intended as a feel good article but was simply naive reporting. As many have stated, no time was taken to look at the other side of the story. Interviewing a person who became hard-of-hearing later in life, and the hearing parent of a deaf child, without presenting the views of the Deaf community on this topic is pretty lazy, in my opinion. As are statements like So sign language is a dying language...
It was a missed opportunity to address the divide between the views of many deaf individuals that deafness is a culture (hence the capital Ds) vs the views of many in the hearing world that deafness is a disability.
As others have pointed out, I don't think it is fair to demonize Dr. Batten (though he would likely benefit from a little sensitivity training on the subject) who is, I am sure, doing his best to provide what he sees as the best care to his patients.
Like it or not, hearing parents of a deaf child are going to leap at the chance to rid their child of any disadvantage that they can. Some of the comments from deaf readers (in particular, Bradley from NL) are ironically only going to cement these opinions due to their lack of proper written syntax (which I have been told is a common occurrence for ASL users but had yet to witness myself.)
My two cents - boo to The Telegram. -
- Janet
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:47
I have been profoundly deaf my whole of my life. I have a successful career in personal banking for 20 years. I find myself really proud of my deaf identity and have a great education.
Im not discussing the pros and cons of the cochlear Implant.
I understand how the deaf people community feels so hurt by what Dr Batten says Sign language is a dying language. Dr Batten is giving extremely wrong use of words about deaf people and culture. People have difficulty understand deaf culture and ASL language. I feel strongly Dr Batten should have understood deaf culture first before he discusses it in his Article. Hope it will help people wake up and be respectful to deaf people and stop putting them in the dark forever. My recommendation for Dr Batten, is that should have write a huge apologize to the deaf community before it gets worse! We deaf people do not have a disease. I dont believe sign language will die. -
- Trendy
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:39
Strongly considering that Dr Batten certainly discriminates and doesn't accept DEAF to bring into this world, he uses a bad judgement. As he mentioned, sign language is a dying language - is this called himself as a professional and brilliant surgeon? NOT!I'm instantly sure that he is in shock to see how professional and intelligent deaf people make wise comments. Does Dr Batten have common sense? What a shame! Look, I was born hearing but at the 2nd of my age, I lost my hearing loss to become deaf due to the high fever & few other kinds. I was mainstreamed at the public school until I was in the 2nd grade, I continued educating at the deaf school but I was early on the high level so I was put to the hearing classes with the sign language interpreter. Guess what? I was the top one of the students on the campus- all the education was easy for me, obviously a fast learner just like the other hearing people. Now I'm very blossomed to work as a fashion designer and patternmaker for the fashion industry. Even though I have own personal business. See, I'm pretty much proud of being deaf that usually wear a hearing aid and loves sign language, a beauty of language for the public. I thank God for naturally producing me on this globe, my life is blessed everyday through the bad and good time. Plus, I socialize both of hearing and deaf people just normal. I simply don't need PITY! Cochlear implant, for my own opinion, is a ultimate PITY, HARSH and CRUELTY to the deaf community and culture. It is ultimately lame but it is up to you all whether have it or not for your own reason- it's your own body or system.
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- Aguabo
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:37
Dear parents of deaf children, I am sorry that you have to read this. In spite of this, please do not let this destructive literature gets to you. You are welcome to become more informed through reading our available resources. I've listed them under Part 4 Mother Teresa Supports Every Child's Right to Life, Liberty and Property on youtube.
www.youtube.com/aguabo
There is no such thing as a difficult deaf child, only an inexperienced parent. -
- Chris
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:23
Me in NL, he may have helped people out, but the point is he insulted us deaf people, so, of course, we are offended and disgusted. Deafness is not what Dr Batten made it out to be. I accept myself for who I am. I am proud of myself and what I have done to this point. No regret at all in my life. Deafness is NOT a disability. We can do EVERYTHING except hear. I wish I could educate people on deafness, but, unfortunately, most people are close-minded.
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- Stephen
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:23
This articles has disappointed me instantly when I saw those disgusting comments coming from Dr. Batten. How could someone say something so cruel such as So sign language is a dying language and it is not even true!
I am former CI user and I don't wear it anymore for almost 5 years now. It doesn't work for me. It requires a lot of therapy and it used a lot of my childhood time. You may tell me that I may have missed a lot of things during my childhood.
CI is not a cure for the deafness and that is for sure. It is just a device that will give you the ability to hear but won't be perfect just like hearing people. Once you have it turned off, you're deaf again! Simple as that.
Speaking of school's closure, do you really know who/what have caused this? I know you may think this sound riciliously but it's true. Government is actually blocking off the new kids from coming to our deaf school! Why? Government is encouraging the parents to have their kids implanted and attend to the hearing school. So there, is that only the choice the parent have to make based on Government's decision? Yup, so far cause they haven't mentioned them about the deaf school, language they can use to communicate with deaf kids, and services that the deaf kids can benefit from. This has became so tiresome for most of us.
For everyone out there, we, people of deaf community, sent letters, gave our speeches, arranged a rally, and so many things to government to give people the choices for their kids including deaf school, sign language, deaf education, Cochlear Implants, and etc. Guess what, no matter how much effort we already invested in this progress.... government wouldn't listen our voice, wouldn't discuss with us, or no reply from them at all.
Sad but pathetic, isn't it? -
- Rob
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:18
Why would parents want their children to grow up deaf? Why would they deprive them of a sense? Is it maybe that the pro-deaf culture is becoming afraid that the older they get, the more isolated they'll become? Denying a child of the right to hear seems to be a clear violation of human rights, and the incentive for doing so seems entirely selfish without one solid argument. Kind of reminds me of when parents pay for their children to stay home and not work because their afraid of being lonely. Sad.
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- Ryan
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:12
Im still livid and infuriated about this whole article. Hence my fifth appearance on this site (other comments didn't make it cause I let my emotions get the best of myself)
To sum it up, Dr. Batten is a destroyer. -
- Daishun
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:20
Alisha (the writer of this article),
I am seeing there is a lot of disgusted deaf readers who are really disgusted with Dr. Batten. I, too, am very disgusted along with deaf readers. No, I am not a CI user and I would plan not to use them anyway because I know there is risks involved.
Ever seen the show last night called House ? There was a show about a deaf teenager and hearing mother discussing about CI. It did showed that it helped deaf people with their deafness but there are RISKS involved in this. Maybe you should find that show from last night on FOX and see it again on reruns. You will see what their experience is like and how they would decide either they want to remain deaf or use CI. The CI is not a cure for deafness.
Next time, do your research more on cochlear implant and discuss with deaf people and CI users before you post it in the news. This article had created outrage against this article and Dr. Batten. Next time, RESEARCH!!! -
- Longshanks
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:49
The fact that a wonderful and supportive culture has grown up around this disability does not change the fact that being deaf is a deficiency that should be corrected if possible.
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- Julie
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:35
This should not be an either/or discussion but an both/and discussion. The implant itself is a technological device that has great potential for some people. Research has also shown that those with the implants AND learn sign language are the ones who are most successful. Get the implant or hearing aid AND learn sign language.
Hearing babies are praised for learning sign language at 9 months old but the medical profession is telling parents of deaf/hard of hearing children not to sign. Very ironic!
Technology AND Sign language.
Medical advances AND Cultural awareness
** Let's educate the whole child and not just the aural/oral piece. -
- Myles
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:25
Eradication - noun - extermination, annihilation, elimination; see DESTRUCTION.
I am a person who is profoundly deaf. I am not a candidate for a cochlear implant nor for eradication. I cannot learn to hear. Signing is as much a part of my identity as voice is to the hearing. While I am certain Dr.Batten has made an invaluable contribution in his field. I think some sensitivity training would go a long way in dealing with professional arrogance.
Many people who are hearing and deaf have benefited from Sign Language. Two of my hearing grandchildren sign full sentences to me their grandfather who is deaf. We engage in conversation that they are unable to yet verbalize at their tender age.
Bonding
Communication
Amazing Sign Language! -
- Velma
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:05
HEre's the truth, Dr. Tony Batten is proven as an EUGENIST to people with hearing loss. By 2020, who will take care of those people with disabilities? Anyone could face unexpected accident or come home from war with severe hearing loss, who will take care of them? Guys, those commentors who are pro of eugenics then you are on the wrong turf because no one is going to take care of you as you age in ugly and ungraceful ways. We must end all of this, stop putting imposed goals on children who are forced to receive CI and to abolish their 1st Amendment, Right to Speech, American Sign Language!
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- Deaf_Newfie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:59:55
Alisha Morrissey has brutally failed one of the codes of journalism by writing an one-sided story in order to glorify Dr. Batten who unsurprisingly reminds me of Alexander Graham Bell, a well-known eugenicist and cochlear implant for a few reasons. First, she failed to make this article well-balanced and unbiased. She did not bother to contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf (NLAD) and the Canadian Association of the Deaf whom she can contact for their positions and interviews on cochlear implants. For a matter of fact, the NLAD is one of the oldest disabled organizations in NL and and have represented the Deaf and hard of hearing people in NL for a long time. And, there are lack of information on the cons about cochlear implants; therefore, Ms. Morrisey purposely or not did not put in her article.
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- Cindy
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:59:48
I was diagnosed with hereditary hearing loss at age 25. I sat in the ENT's chair, he looked in my ears, up my nose...wrote on a pad of paper handed it to me and told me to go next door to order a couple of hearing aids! I sat there looking rather stunned. I didn't understand what he was trying to tell me. When I asked him questions he got rather irritated and told me to get the hearing aids and everything would be fine. I had to do all the research and find out everything i needed to know on my own, alone.
A year later I decided to get a second opinion so I saw Dr. Batten, he spent a little more time with me but still didn't explain anything about my hereditary condition or caution me to have any future children checked for hearing loss. He told me i was not a candidate for cochlear implants and there was nothing he could do for me. I should see an audiologist every other year and wear my aids. That was it.
Did you know hearing loss is considered an aging problem and therefore is not covered by many insurance plans? Oh and you can claim the amount you spend on batteries on your income tax, just keep the receipts of course. -
- Chad
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:59:28
This article screams Audism .
I am not against cochlear implants and I know the pros and cons very well. Sometimes, CI works and other times, it doesn't. That is a fact and I have accepted that as a Deaf fella.
On behalf of all of our supporters here, I am speaking out to Robyn Carter, Melissa Chaikof, Bryant Melesko, Richard Rowhm and a few others who are on the same warship as they are, did you see what Mr. Batten say? Let me rephrase:
We don't have any children now going to the school for the deaf, Batten says, explaining that children who are born deaf have a good chance at hearing if they get an implant early in life.
The school for the deaf is being phased out, he says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society.
It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now.
All of the comments above are reasonable to discuss and undoubtfully that the article is nothing but a pathetic insult.
How can somebody determine that people with CI will definitely earn a better income and life? There are many non-Deaf people out there who don't have a motivation to be successful or interested to earn a higher education! Should hearing people get CI so they can have a better job? Better education?
I am Deaf and using hearing aid in ONE ear and using American Sign Language as my primary communication and I am successful as an engineer as well many other Deaf people that I know. I am heavily involved with hearing people on my job, no Deafies, and I communicate through sign language and it is up to them to follow and they have tremendous respects for my language. It is God Given Power Language. It will never die.
People in Newfoundland and Labrador who doesn't understand our WAY of life, God's Creations, are the reasons why so many dreams of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals are shattered because the government and lack of understanding deafness people refuse to let us to identify ourselves in public.
This is about IDENTITY and this is who we are!
WAKE UP PEOPLE!! GET OUT AND EXPLORE THE DEAFNESS!
Myrtle Barrett, you were my social worker at NSD, you were part of the NSD family. I am shocked to read what you have stated in the article. It is obviously that they were your opinion but it doesn't mean that they are true. You should have an understanding of a general term of Deafness, even as a social worker before you preach. Your opinion tells me that you don't understand Deafness and Identity. I will block your any general support to eradicates deafness in public. -
- Rhonda
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:59:13
Dr. Batten is a wonderful man, and is looking out for only the best interests of his patients. I'm sorry the previous poster felt pressured by his insistance to give his patients the best options to them.
Dr. Batten has been my doctor for a number of years now as I am affected by Heriditary hearling loss. My Uncle was that first patient he did the surgery on in 1999. This province should be so thankful ( as I am) to have such a wonderful specialist in this province. I Thank God every day for Dr. Batten and what he has done for my family, and for my hearing health. -
- Me in NL
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:58:28
USA from NEWFOUNDLAND, Sorry if you were offended but DR. Batten has helped so many people with this new technology which is amazing! I see every day a special person who has these implants and I must say they were the people who choose and it was never pressured on them. Change is always hard to accept even if it can improve ones future. Thanks to DR. Batten and his Staff Keep up the good work
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- Cydrina
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:58:16
In response to CHAD Greenham from Maryland, I TOTALLY AGREE with you. This article makes it sound like Deaf people are DUMB and that's NOT true.
I am not Deaf but have been involved with the Deaf community for years. I know a lot of very smart Deaf people. Being Deaf does not make someone stupid or unable to learn. Good for you in getting your BAC in engineering, Chad.
ASL is not dying out because the CI is not guaranteed to work for everyone regardless of the age. I have a friend whose son has one and it does NOT work. And he`s not the only one. So there will always be Deaf people and thus, ASL will always be needed for them to communicate. Unless they prefer to speak and lipread, but the majority of them dont! ASL is their means of communication and they are proud of it! And I think that is wonderful. -
- Gail
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:56
Your article is unbelievably ignorant and disrespectful. You do not know what you are saying.
I am Deaf mother of four deaf children and a grandmother of four grandchildren, and two of them are deaf. I am very proud.. We communicate in ASL. We are very well educated. Sign language is dying?? No it wont happen! Hearing people want to learn sign language, even more ironically, hearing parents wants ASL for their hearing babies. Yet professionals don't want deaf babies to learn sign language... and hearing babies are allowed? what are they thinking? this is really bizarre!
Deaf Culture is dying?? No, it wont happen either! never will be!
You are just one of few doctors who don't or WON'T bother to check out about our precious sign language or deaf culture is actually disrespecting us. Your words forever scarred for deaf community.
People who have CI will be always DEAF when they don't wear them during sleep, playing sports, having shower, etc.
Over six years, I work with families with deaf children, whether they have CI or not, I ENCOURAGE them to learn ASL. no matter what!
Last thing, I am thankful that I live in Ontario because there are better opportunities for deaf people here for education . Most of all, we are treated equally and receive respect.
Your article shows disrespect for deaf community. It is very sad indeed.. -
- Triffie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:50
It's grand that we have evolved so far in society that we can proudly announce that a culture/group will soon be eradicated . Such an inappropriate word in this case. Such a word has been used when medical community had almost wiped out(i.e.) Small Pox or the Bubonic plague. The use of eradicate is unbelievably insulting . No matter what medical advances are achieved there will always be Deaf people. As long as there is a human Deaf soul out there who wishes to communicate freely, there will be ASL. It is long past time Academia to see the Deaf from not only the medical model but a cultural model as a people. It is time for us not to be as judgemental to qualify the worth of culture/community because it arose from a disability as some had stated in this forum. Choosing to be deaf or having a CI is a very personal decision that individual and parents have to make. What they choose should not be the result of pressure or the politics of the era. Dr. Tony Batten has taken quite a beating here. I think that although I have no doubt he is a learned man, I pity him. He only understands the mechanics of deafness. He will probably never understand the joy the Deaf experience within their community. That is the world where they have a sense of belonging; they not damaged. A place where they choose to belong.
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- Sasha
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:40
I read this article...I cant believe that its seem very discrimination to Deaf people (called Audism), because what Dr. Batten said such as offend/rude words So sign language is a dying language. and It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now
Did this article not tell about CI risk/ cons? In fact the CI have increased RISK/ disadvantage. There has article about one girl aged 7 died from CI risk. See the website here:
http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/10891548/detail.html
And other websites about CI cons:
The United States Food and Drug Administration reports that cochlear implant recipients may be at higher risk for meningitis.[12] A study of 4,265 American children who received implants between 1997 and 2002 concluded that recipient children had a risk of pneumococcal meningitis more than 30 times greater than that for children in the general population.[13] A later, UK-based, study found that while the incidence of meningitis in implanted adults was significantly higher than the general population, the incidence in children was no different than the general population.[14]
By: cochlear implant. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 2008. Answers.com 29 Apr. 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/cochlear-implant
Risks
As with all operations, there are risks with this surgery. These include:
infection at the incision site
bleeding
complications related to anesthesia
transient dizziness
facial paralysis (rarely)
temporary taste disturbances
additional hearing loss
device failure
However, it should be noted that serious surgical complications have been observed at only one in 10,000 procedures of this type.
By: cochlear implant. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 29 Apr. 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/cochlear-implant -
- Cindy
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:32
Obviously this article is written from a clinical perspective and does not take into account the many social and emotional factors of being Deaf. The decision to have a child implanted should be very well thought out and parents should be fully exposed to the Deaf world and the hard of hearing world before making a decision. Sadly, when children are screened and a hearing loss is detected, they are almost exclusively exposed to the clinical perspective. It is important that parents themselves explore all perspectives before making a decision.
One fact that is not mentioned in the article that I consider important, is the medical ramification of having a cochlear implant. In order to implant the device, all usable hearing is permanently destroyed. They are making some gains in this area, but not fast enough. There are currently a number of research projects that look at developing drugs and proteins to regenerate the growth of hair cells in the ear. Also there is some research happening using stem cells to regenerate growth of hair cells in the ear. Ninety percent of people with a hearing loss have sensoneurial hearing loss. Simply put, the hair cells in the ear are damaged and unable to carry sound waves. If any of these research projects were ever to be successful, people who have had a CI would not be a candidate for this type of treatment. The research is in very early stages and it is not like we could expect any results in the next five years, but consider this scenario: A three year old child receives bi-lateral CI. All usable hearing in both ears is permanently gone. She spends the next seven years in extensive therapy, struggling to have speech and language levels at par with her peers. As it has already been pointed out, CI's do not restore perfect hearing. It is an upward battle to acquire grade level speech and language skills. Now she is 10 years old and a protein has been released that will fully regenerate the growth of hair cells in the ear. Natural hearing is possible. This 10 year old girl will never benefit from that. As a parent, how would you feel? As a young adult who has a CI, how would you feel?
For me personally, as a person with a profound hearing loss, I would love to have typical hearing. I could not risk the damage imposed by a CI, knowing that the future may hold a better solution.
Finally, hearing loss is personal. How a person chooses to accept their hearing loss is personal. There is no wrong answer. The important things are to have informed choices, to respect the choices people make, and to be respectful to a culture that embraces deafness and makes being Deaf something to be proud about. -
- Lindsey
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:22
Deaf people don't need pity, they aren't disabled, and they don't need to be fixed!
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- Chris
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:21
I am absolutely disgusted with Dr Batten's comment.
I am deaf, I earn decent income, and fit into society very well. I am an apprentice plumber who will be receiving journeyman ticket in 2010. I am involved in both deaf and hearing world, and I fit in both of them very well. Everywhere I go, and meet people, there are usually people who mentioned that they want to learn sign language so bad and how it should be second language instead of french. So Dr Batten's comment about sign language dying is nonense.
Dr. Batten, next time you do an article, do some research before you make yourself look like an idiot. -
- anonymous
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:07
Deafness isn't a disease, it's who they are! Listen the only Deaf people i know are the goverment because for every arguement our people put forth it always seems to fall on Deaf ears. So why not promote CI to them I really do think they might need it! Also Dr Batten should beware of what he is saying it's affecting alot of people. Sign language wouldn't be a dying language if they put interpeaters out in the classes with those student who do have CI along with those who don't. Sign Language is a lovely Language it can help the hearing as well. answer me this have any of you have a really bad ear infection or water build up and you couldn't ear anything for atleast 24 hours or more? If so if you've known Sign Language and everybody else did then you could still hear them because you'll be using Signs so don't tell me that Sign Language is a dying Language and is in our past, It can bennfit everyone!
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- Heather
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:04
Children with implants they get better incomes when they graduate,they get higher levels of learning,etc. Wow! That blows my mind how Dr.Batten belittle the deaf & hearing impaired,he just don't understand our way of life and to talk down to is beyond me.
I seen Dr.Batten last year. He told me that I'm the perfect person to get an implant, without so much checking me out. I told him I have to think it over because this is a very drastic step for me to take.He even asked me if would I be interested to go to University as a model so the students could learn a thing or two.I was filled with dismay and turn it down flat! I'm no genuine pig . Well all is said & done... he said he would get in touch with me to make an appt. for CI...GUESS WHAT! He never call!!!! Even he did I'm still not interersted.....SORRY!!!!!
I'm in my early 40's & have been hearing impaired all my life and wears a hearing aid and I have a good job working in a hotel and deals with my customers every day. So that goes to show anyone can do it
Cheers to Chad Greenham!!
I'm proud of who I am... -
- Robyn
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:02
The right answer for Edward Bragg's question, is... Go and get yourself evaluated in a Cochlear Implant Programme, and don't let anyone except a professional tell you whether you can or can't be helped.
Once again - many of these deaf people speaking out against cochlear implants are probably the people who wouldn't get one anyway based on their length of time they've been deaf, and lack of memory of hearing.
We all know that CI's work best for late deafened people, and for babies/children who are born deaf or go deaf suddenly. The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome.
As for risks - Any surgical procedure has a risk - but the outcome is so good, I can say it's truly worth it. I know - as I've had 3 implants now and if anything happened to my current one, I would go ahead and have another.
Silience is definitely NOT golden. -
- Robyn
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:56:43
This article screams AUDISM!!!!!
We live in a country that values equal opportunity regardless of sex, religion, race, etc.
Being Deaf is a WAY of life. Being Deaf does not make us suffer but being in this society does.
We are being vicitimized just like Native people were when white European people came and colonized them. We are being colonized and that has to stop! The only way it could stop is to change one's attitude and accept that being Deaf is not a disability - only living differently, yet, effectively. Once people understand us more, they will realize that we are as equal as others. We are human, period! -
- Jon Deer
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:56:33
First and for most, deafness in NOT a disability!!!!! It is a culture. If some doctor is trying to eradicate this supposed affliction be means of technology, then he needs to do more research on the Deaf community to realize that he attempting a cultural genocide.
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- Bryant
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:56:23
I'm sorry, but most of you are ignorant as to the way these cochlear implants work. They work on the electrical level instead of amplifying the sounds. That is why all the resistance exists. Get over it all of you, evolutionary technology allows for greater understanding and appreciation of new things to try!!
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- Andrea
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:56:19
Wow.. this article is mind-blowing and insulting at the same time. Before I type further, I'm Deaf, non-CI user, ASL user. ASL is American Sign Language, which is well known language among Deafs. I agree with Kristen on this article for only showing the pros for CI. Trust me, there's are some cons. Sadly, many doctors, like Dr. Batten, only show the pros to the public. I'm sure that all of you know that everything have pros and cons, since no one is perfect. Also, the public has the rights to know the cons. So the article won't mislead the public. I'm offended by this quote, The school for the deaf is being phased out, he says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. I don't realize that I'm idiot? And my income is that low? (Yes, I have a job that pays that well!!) And I can't intergrate into society? (sorry my family and my friends, I don't know that I am suppose to be loner.) Btw, that was sarcastic comment in case you can't tell. Yes, deafs do know how to be sarcastic. I know it's surprising that we are able to do this. I'm truly disappointed in this article, it only show one point of view, where is other view. I don't think it's anything wrong with being Deaf. It's nice to be different, not be exactly same of other people. Or this world will be a boring place. We have diversity in this world which is races, religions, backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, customs, disabilites, etc. If we eliminate all of those. It would be a dull place to live in. Echhh. Thanks.
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- maria
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:55:47
There have been studies of deaf people having this surgery later in life that cannot adapt to all of the sound and become very frustrated. Deaf people are like everyone else (i have 2 cousins who are deaf) and yes at time they speak very fast (ASL) and it is hard to understand them but when asked to slow down they are ver accomidating and understood. As i recall this surgery has been around for years and one of my cousin was not a candidate for this surgery, he is 30 years old now and unless drastic changes have been made there will alwasy be people who aren't good candidates for surgery. ASL as a dying language should be avoided at all costs since there will always be a need for interpreters for those not able to understand the language especially in the medical fields. The implant should always be a choice for those who feel it is the right thing for them and never be forced on anyone.
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- David
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:55:37
I am extremely concerned about his comment that is very inappropriate. I am now questioning his professionalism and his code of ethics for in my view, promoting audism and genocide against the humanity of Deaf people.
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- Mom with deaf daughter
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:55:30
I could not believe what I was reading this morning. ASL is a dying language and if you do not get an implant you will not get a good income and not be able to get higher levels of education.
As a hearing Mom of a deaf daughter , who is now in her mid-twenties, I'm upset.
First - the article is all one sided, my husband and I investigated the CI - we where told that it doesn't work for everyone, that what little hearing she did have, would more then likely be destroyed. There was a chance that it could paralysis her facial muscles on the side of the implant. I could not make that life altering decision for her therefore when she got older, we let her decide, she choose not to have the CI.
My daughter has 2 semester left at MUN and she will have her degree. She has been approached to do her Masters. Do you call this higher levels of education or not ????
Have you every watched the deaf use ASL?? It is a beautiful expressive language. It has structure and it own rules, it is the same as English, French or Spanish. In some universities in Canada it is recognized as a language o it's own and is taught as second language.
My last point is that I also have a hearing son, I worried more about his education in a hearing school due to the lack of resources then I ever did about my daughter's who attended NSD. I just hope and pray that the children who have been integrated into hearing schools will have the same access to a good education as they did at NSD. -
- RME
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:55:07
When the Deaf children are implanted with cochlear implants , they are still DEAF. That is why the deafness will NOT be eradicated. That is why Ms. Morrisey is one of the most uneducated and biased reporters that I have ever seen.
He says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. It is not true and he has not had any convincingly conclusive proof to back up this statement.
I graduated from NSD some years ago and I went to university. In the end, my yearly income is near six figures and I am doing well in real society. Some NSD graduates have become successful in various positions such as vice-principal, professor, software system developer, college teacher, computer programmers, teachers, and so on and for a fact their incomes are pretty solid. That is why Dr. Batten has used his unproven statement in order to mislead parents of Deaf children about their future on purpose. -
- Triffie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:51
I also take issue with the journalist, Alisha Morrisey. The bi-line alone makes me cringe. School for the Hearing Impaired could one day be out of business Where is this place? The School for the Deaf is on Topsail Rd. Don't believe me? Look it up in the phone Book! Google Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The School for the DEAF is under Student Support Services! Although I do not agree with the philosophy espoused by the article, I am outraged at the lack of journalistic research. I thought it was poorly written and surprised the telegram would print such a one sided article. I don't always agree with a writer's perspective but this was the news! By the way Alicia, School for the Deaf, soon to be closing it self is not news. It's history. As former Minister of Education Joan Burke stated in various forms of media August 2007 (including The Telegram) that the School for Deaf will die a natural death .
The fact that I think that will be a sad day is a topic for another day! -
- Nicole
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:36
I didn't feel pressured as you said. Just angry. All he did was say the good things about the implant, he never said any of the many things that could go wrong. I wouldn't have a problem with him if people were actually given both the pros and cons.
It's good that he has helped many, there's no doubt about that. It's great for the people that have the surgery and are happy!
But the same time, I'm actually a part of the Deaf community in NL, in Canada, in Washington DC (Where I attend the world's only Deaf university), and I've heard the bad things as well. Most only hear the good, and that doesn't always lead to the wise decisions. =)
I have too much to lose to get an implant, but if in the future I no longer benefit from hearing aids, that's when I'd get an implant. It's the only way I can connect to my family. Just putting that out there as well, so no one thinks I'm completely against it. I support informed decisions. -
- Ryan
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:33
Only if he could see the beauty American Sign Language exudes. It is a culture of its own and thats that.
Sign Language will never die as long as humans thrive on this planet. It will continue to thrive for generations and generations to come. I personally am not too worried about the fact that cochlear implants may or may not eradicate Deafness.
I don't understand how parents of children with CI can live with themselves knowing they have violated the child's freedom of choice. Granted it may help them in the future but then they were intended to lose their hearings so that way they wouldn't hear the evil of the world. Im shaking my head at the fact that they think it is ethical to step in and make a drastic life that will have big ramifications on their future. They could also face the risk of death, injury, ostracization from both worlds (Deaf & Hearing) and so on forth.
I am a student at Gallaudet University and I come from Canada. After reading this article, I now turn my back on my own country because of this man. I am truly ashamed a Canadian man would make such explicit and brash comments about us Deaf people.
We are functional members of society so there isn't anything to worry about. We're able to have children, get professional jobs, PhD degrees and so on forth. -
- Beth
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:32
I think that NSD should stay open and turn into a ASL immersion school.This gives a chance for the deaf students and hearing students to intergrate and become aware of both worlds. Speaking from experience as a child who was taken out of NSD and put into a hearing school, I felt like I didn't belong to any world because I was no longer in touch with the deaf world and I didn't completely belong into the hearing world.
I was always told that I was a candidate for a cochlear implant and finally gave in 2 yrs ago. I hear just the same now as I could with my hearing aids. Only now I have to pay a lot of money for insurance that we don't have in Canada. Having an cochlear implant is very costly! -
- Felicia
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:31
Growing up Hard of Hearing and having received a Cochlear Implant myself due to personal reasons, I understand the debate about Cochlear Implants are a complicated one. I won't go into facts that could probably take a few chapters, since I have limited space here.
But, I will say this: there is in no way any justification for the way CI's are painted here. Anything in this life is half chance -anything. Just like glasses don't work the same way for everyone, CI's don't either. It is not magic. There is no manual that covers what to do if it is unsuccessful. Not everyone who has received a CI benefits from it. And for some of us who have gone through the process we can tell you it is not simply hearing one day. It is a process that can be long and ardous, and emotionally exhausting. It is far more complicated than simply eradicating hearing loss.
As for sign language being phased out and in the past I would like to point out that some of us who are Hard of Hearing with Cochlear Implants or without, still utilize the usage of Sign Language in our everyday lives. There does not have to be one way or the other. It is possible to have the best of all worlds.
I am in a world with sound, but I love the silence. I cherish every minute that I can spend in both worlds. And sometimes, there is nothing better than when I can have both of them meet.
But secretly, sometimes, I love being able to see the story, instead of trying to imagine it in my head -it never does it justice the way that ASL can. -
- Deaf
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:24
I'm very speechless with the ignorant words that came out of Dr.Batten mouth. Alisha Morrissey and Dr.Batten SHOULD get their facts straight before you guys ever say anything stupid to the deaf community in whole. It is a very terrible article done by Morrissey. I don't need to go on and on with this because I already agree with most of the comments that were posted in here. DOWN WITH OPPRESSION AND AUDISM!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! DEAF CULTURE AND ASL WILL NEVER DIE!!
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- Irritated bY Ignorance
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:24
correction that should read *geographical* not geological
Richard: it seems to me you are trying to provoke an intellecutal debate to prove your intelligence. Am I mistaken? -
- Gary
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:06
Its not so much that Dr Batten wants people to have cochlear implants that worries me, each to their own, its more how misleading his comments are.
Cochlear Implants do not make anyone hearing. Even with a cochlear implant they are still deaf. All a cochlear implant is in reality, is a high tech hearing aid. If the implant malfunctions, and they frequently do, then the recipent is still deaf, not that they were not in the first place.
People that receive cochlear implants also get verying benefits. Some get a lot, others less so. Some kids learn spoken English well, others less so. Some have excellent literacy while others show evidence of hearing problems in dropping the S of singular or plural words and in getting tenses wrong and so on.
Deaf culture aside, which I agree has been insulted by this article, this sort of misleading article is dangerous. It gives people false hope. It makes people think that with a cochlear implant deafness is a thing of the past. Clap trap as they say.
The Dr in question, and indeed the journalist, should hang their heads in shame. I suspect the Dr is only looking for a way to line his pockets, the journalist in writing something heartwarming and sensational. The damage the two of them can and have done with this wisshy washy nonsesne is immeasurable. -
- Tracey
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:06
My son Graham commented on this article earlier. I live in Paradise and he is going to school in Ontario. Why? We have been separated because of the lack of resources and teachers at NSD. They were unable to provide him with the necessary courses to graduate because of the constant cutbacks by govt. Our alternative was to put him in a hearing high school with an interpreter. He is a very bright deaf kid who will undoubtedly become a very successful deaf adult. I take offense to the tone of the article insinuating that deaf people need to be fixed in order to become productive members of society. The opportunities for Deaf people in NL are so limited that we lose many of our successful adults to the bigger centers. Graham is academically gifted and will probably find his niche in another province. With articles like this one I can hardly blame him.
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- Misha
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:54
Oh, by the way.....yes, I'm Deaf. No, I don't have C.I. I don't have any desire to acquire one for myself. I'm happy the way I am. That's that.
Misha -
- Luke
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:51
I'm a student at Gonzaga High School, and am enrolled in the American Sign Language course. Through this course we have learned so much about the Deaf Culture and how amazing it really is. Dr. Batten said it's a disability that it can be cured but that isn't true at all. So many Deaf individuals enjoy their lives and just have a different look on life it's not that it's a disability. These Deaf students have become great friends with so many of us at Gonzaga High School and people treat them the same as anyone else and don't believe they have to be hearing to be accepted into our school community. I think it's so insulting to hear the Deaf community being put down in this way. So many of these things stated above aren't true and a deaf person can be just as succesfull without getting a CI. So many Deaf individuals have gone on to pursue careers such as acting and engineering along with many others. People should be given the chance to decide what they want to do instead of forcing people into it like it seems Dr. Batten is doing. I think if he realized how beautiful sign language is and got a taste of Deaf Culture he would realize why people are proud to be Deaf and aren't interested in this surgery.
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- Jeff
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:43
It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now.
It's partly true because we can see that there is a general decline in the deaf (w/SL) population and who will preserve the deaf culture when they are gone? :-) -
- Edward
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:23
I am hearing impaired in my right ear and I have a hearing aid but I still cant understand what people are saying. they dont like when they have to repeat themselves. could I get help for my ear??
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- Northtrue
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:18
I read your article. Where is your proof of that Sign language is dying?
Sport referee use sign language to communicate that show what plenty.
Baby learn sign first then spoke lately.
So what your proof that ASL is dying by evidence research?
Your message hurt minority community and you are above of us! -
- Cookie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:55
Hi , i was reading this article and the comments that people made. I was very upset to read that this doctor said that sign language is a dying language. I know this is not true at all. People all over the world still use sign language and even hearing people use sign language to teach their child how to communicate even before they can talk. (In the case with julia roberts teaching her twins sign language)
Sign language is very important to deaf and hard of hearing people.. i'm deaf and i have a cochlear implant. Although my cochlear implant stopped working and i'm due to have another surgery.I'm very lucky i know sign language and that other people that i work with who are hearing use sign language., i can communicate with them. If i didn't have that it would have been really hard to understand anything.
I know alot of people don't agree with a cochlear implant but i like it alot and it helps me hear. I'm part of both worlds since i know sign language and i can talk pretty well. It's like people that have hearing aids to help them hear , just like cochlear implants help the ones that hearing aids don't work , help them hear. I can't wait to get my implant altho i know there are risks but i want to be able to hear my son. I'm teaching my son sign language because he can communicate with me before he learns to talk. I have friends that are deaf that use sign language plus in my work i need to know sign language to communicate with the deaf blind. There will always be sign language as long as there is deaf people in this world. I feel that sign language should come second instead of french... because french is a hard language to understand.
This person should learn to think before speaking and saying things to offend deaf and hard of hearing people. -
- Jay
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:54
CI doesn't solve everything. Although I never got the implant, I was mainstreamed at a very early age. I was subjected to ridicule, lonliness, isolation . . . you name it. For years I suffered identity crisis, depression, and suicidal tendecies. To this day I still feel like I am missing something in life. I have no sense of belonging to anyone. The hearing world, i.e. parents, teachers, government, should never have forced this upon us simply to make them happy. School for the Deaf, if all else, should serve as a social glue - a common bond to give meaning and identification for all deaf and hard of hearing persons. I find Dr. Batten comment very shallow and narrow minded. He doesn't realize the social ramification of how CI is slowly destroying the deaf culture and take away one sense of belonging.
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- Erika
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:50
First of all I am hard of hearing. I deal with both deaf individuals, hard of hearing individuals and hearing individuals on a regular basis. Reading this article I understand where Dr. Batten is comming from with respect to technology's ability to change people's lives and provide opportunities for people with a hearing loss. I do also understand where the anger is comming from with some of the comments that were made.
On thing that I would like to point out is that there supports for people with a hearing loss in general are lacking. The government has made very poor decisions regarding NSD that can not be undone. The education department has not been very proactive in making sure that hearing awareness and supports are in place in the school system for those (such as myself that were mainstreamed). Much work needs to be done in this area.
Finally I would like to say that while I understand how proud deaf people are of their culture, I don't understand the need to belittle those who choose to get a CI and experience sound. That is there right. Everyone has a right to their own choices, and that is something that has to be respected by everyone, hearing or deaf. -
- Irritated bi Ignorance in
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:44
Just some observations/comments I would like to make.
Alisha Morrissey: It looks like you opened a can of worms. I bet you were not prepared for this sort of a response, huh?
Dr. Batten: I believe if you took the time to read some of the responses from these highly intellectual individuals who are clearly educated, socialized and receive more than fair compensation for their hard work, you would agree that you owe them an apology.
For supporters of this article: If you took the time to read some of the responses given, you will see that these individuals are deeply offended by the off the cuff remark of how they are substandard members of society. (No one used the term substandard in the article or in some of the responses, but it is a term that I have heard often and I interpreted that thought to have been implied in the article and by some of your responses).
What is being mentioned is that they are contributing members to society whom are helping the economy get back onto track. Perhaps you should go back and take the time out of your busy schedule and fully read some of these responses. You may be surprised.
Richard Roehm from Irvine, California: I think that you too may benefit from sitting down and reading some of the responses from ALL of the individuals who took the time from their busy schedule. I have no doubt that you and your research team feel that you are doing really important work. However, if you perhaps set aside your scientific objectiveness and thought processes and see that D(d)eafness is not a flaw or an abnormality rather it is a rather oppressed community that is SO oppressed that people do not even realise the richness and contributions that it has to offer to society, then perhaps some of your great work can be put to use to eradicate ignorance, oppression and audism. Just a thought.
My first language was ASL, second language, English. I grew up in a community where D(d)eafness regardless or oral, hard-of-hearing, those who have CI or profoundly Deaf
are welcome. I still see evidence of this today in the very community I grew up in. Because of this community that some call subset it is there that I have learned to be welcoming of all walks of life. The Deaf community has no geological boundaries. This should have been clearly evident with the responses from individuals outside of Canada. -
- Bradley
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:07
I am not support Cochlear Implant because too many reason I against that issue.
The parents which they have hearing loss kids, you should think twice that American Sign Language is very huge benefit for the communication for bilingual language for ASL and English language. ASL can benefit to leading Deaf kids to education better also help them to fluent language. ASL is very powerful to Deaf kids.
I am not very happy with Government for their system to block our Deaf culture.
NSD is my real home, which I have cherish in my memories. I am glad I did graduated from NSD.
Cochlear Implant can serious cause them some headache in the future. People don't realize it is definitely evident.
I am so glad that I didn't get any CI because one of my doctor told my mom that device is very bad for me. Thank god.
You should think twice to ask Deaf people for their experience. I am not impress with that system.
I am very proud who I am. Deaf culture is very special in my life. People don't understand Deaf culture can lead a better life than CI itself.
It's AWFUL SYSTEM I EVER SEE. -
- Erika
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:49
Me again. I would also like to point out the difference between being hard of hearing and deaf. We are two completely seperate group with 2 completely seperate needs. People who identify themselves as hard of hearing (such as myself) use spoken lanuage as their primary methode of communication. Most wear hearing aids, but some don't depending on the severity. The hard of hearing rely heavily on technologies such as Real Time Captioning and FM system etc for commuication. We interact and socialize in the hearing world and I personally don't consider myself any different that a hearing person only I have certain needs.
The deaf people on the other hand, might wear hearing aids, but might not however their primary methode of communication is sign lanuage so they have a whole different set of needs.
Therefore while the hard of hearing and deaf people both have hearing loss they are two completly different worlds that generally don't identify with each other because of their different experiences and needs. -
- Glenys
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:38
SHAME ON YOU! HOW DARE YOU! Who are you to say deaf culture, sign language is dying! Have you been to other parts of the world besides Newfoundland, take a good look around you, based on all of the comments you see, this proves you are wrong. You may be the only doctor that provides CI for people who have hearing loss but where are your ethics? Where is your neutrality? You of all people, should be neutral when discussing CI vs hearing aids. Get your facts straight before you preach!
The Telegram has failed to mention how Deaf Newfoundlanders had to go out of the country to be given the same opportunities that hearing people are given while living in anywhere in the world. Of course the numbers are declining, all because Newfoundland has failed their deaf citizens, failed them! Newfoundland School for the Deaf USED to be a wonderful school with wonderful staff, I say USED TO BE, as it is not the case anymore, as it is being degraded by idiotic people, like Dr Tony Batten himself!
How dare you say, for chances of better income, for intergration of society that CI would give to them! I am the proof that your statements are false! I myself started out at the Newfoundland School for the Deaf at the age of 4 and half years old, the staff saw that I could do much better and placed me in a mainstream program where eventually I was able to go to a public school, all without use of CI! I myself had to rely on use of my hearing aid and lip reading. I didnt have interpreters back them, but it is all because of NSD, and my family, the staff to get where I am today. As a deaf person, I decided I wanted to go back to the deaf world where I went to college, at RIT, Rochester NY and graduated with Bachelor's degree, shocking aint it!
I am proud of who I am, a very proud DEAF person, who is a part of society, had the best of both worlds, deaf and hearing. I use sign language to communicate with my husband, my hearing children and my friends, as well at my workplace. Shocking, I do work! I work in the state of New Hampshire, as a program coordinator for the only agency for the state of NH, for deaf and hard of hearing people that is run by deaf and hard of hearing people. That something that you wouldnt see in Newfoundland, all because Newfoundland has push their deaf people out of the province, out of the country to find better opportunities!
A motto I hold dear in my life, thanks to Charles Charlie Harkins, who gave me the button when I was 7 years old, A Deaf person can do anything except hear! I King Jordan. I will never forget what NSD and what my family has done for me, if it wasnt for them, I would not be where I am today! Cochelar Implant wouldnt have any input in that whatsoever!
Proud to be DEAF!
Glenys Crane-Emerson
Daughter of George and Gladys Crane,
Riverhead Newfoundland -
- A Patient
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:38
I really think a lot of you are reading this the wrong way. Dr Batten is quoting statistics - he isn't making up this stuff about people with CI's getting higer paying jobs and higher learning. You can see any of that information on stats can, so unless you want to call them 'disgraceful' than I hardly see how Dr. Batten is.
And as for the NSD and Deaf Culture beinf eradicated we know that isn't going to happen. A CI obviously isn't right for everyone. What I think he's trying to say is that with advancing technology and the dept. of education realizing that integration of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students into the regular school system we're seeing less and less parents making the choice for their children to be segregated, and isn't this all about choosing what's best for the person?
I think a lot of these comments are taken horribly out of context, and knowing Dr. Batten I think this is more of a case of choppy quoting at best. I am hard of hearing and I don't find anything here horribly offensive at all! -
- Jessica
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:10
The Telegram failed to address the richness found in Deaf culture, which is shaped by the individual's experience with the Deaf world. This makes the Telegram newspaper an ignorant, and therefore irrelevant newspaper. It insults my intelligence that garbage like being Deaf should affect my ability to succeed how I choose in my life. I am just as happy being a low-paid cleaner as I am attending university. A Deaf person's ability to integrate into society is measured by their social relationships; I have met as many incredibly intelligent and competent Deaf people as I have met stupid and ignorant Deaf people. The disability is irrelevant.
I LOVE BEING DEAF AND WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING.
My world and my culture is the people I love, who are Deaf and Hearing. To me, there is no difference in the quality of love. -
- Gaelen
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:08
Who would want an antenna attached to their freaking skull for the rest of their living life? I would never be part of the hearing society if I had a CI because I wouldn't be able to pronounce words correctly or hearing the conversing partner would be difficult based on the level of my hearing.
I am hard of hearing in one ear, deaf the other, but I label myself as a Deaf individual because I integrated in to the culturally Deaf community at the age of 16. My parents asked me at a young age if I wanted a cochlear implant, to my decision, I obviously said NO; due to the fact I would only hear out of one side of my head and it is expensive, and I often would break it since I had a whacked out temper.
I grew up in the hearing society in elementary school, and those days were the worst in my life due to all kinds of bullying and discrimination from the students, and staff as well. I wouldn't see how getting a cochlear implant would benefit me to actually help me get friends, it would make matters worst because I would have an antenna attached to my head. I think a hearing aid took enough of my time already.
Spoken English was my first language growing up; ASL was my second, starting at age 16. And I think the best way to communicate in this world is through sign language because it expresses itself more then any other language through emotions, facial expressions and body language. Spoken languages only shows emotions (hence yelling or stuttering).
This is all I have to say for now, but if anyone other then Richard Roehm decides to be incompetent, they need to GROW UP! -
- Elaine
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:07
I am deaf lady and born in Newfoundland for 30 years and now live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My life is great and feel natural human & beatiful sign language and CHERISH A.S.L (Americian Sign Language) to stay forever. The Deaf Culture is very important for their daily lives. I was shocked that Dr Batten trying ruin the Deaf Culture & community. He trying encourage to the children to have cochlear implants and will be suffer to grow up and who the parent control over children to have cochlear implants. The children are very innocent human and when they grow up and have made their right decision. I support for Deaf Community and cherish A.S.L (American Sign Language) and will not going die for future. It is very sad for the children have no power that the parent put their children's suffer.
-
- Shery
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:05
According to the doctor assume that America sign language is dying, how come I noticed sign language is growing and more acceptable in public. Unfortunately, I think doctors only had seen oral people everyday. I assume that he wasn't exposed enough in other area in deaf culture.
I use ASL everywhere and people understood that I am deaf and use ASL as primary language. The doctor just is ignorant and see deaf as a disabled that need be fixed. Way doctor wrote about ASL is completely opposite what I see in public especially hearing people are taking ASL courses in college. I had acquired some people in stores knew very little bit about ASL. They were thrilled to communicate with me. It kinda made easier for me sometimes. For instance, I went to walmart and it was about to close. I had nowhere to make a call without a cell. I asked cashier to give me paper and pencil. She suddenly use sign language. So, I give all necessary information, I got a ride, and went home. It is a wonderful. Doctors should have do homework before making a judgment. He is plainly ignorant. -
- Nicole
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:00
Just visiting this again, and wanting to put this out there...
A language is considered dead when there are new things being created, and there is no word made to match.
Blackberry is a fairly new thing, so is the Sidekick. Both have signs.
There are other examples, but I don't need to go into it at length here.
sign language is NOT dying. -
- Jeff
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:50
Bradley is a classic example of an old deaf guard who opposes the changes in the future of deaf society.
I am profoundly deaf and I can see the benefits of having a cochlear implant. It gives the great majority of these babies their first awareness of the sounds of speech. They can learn to make sense of those sounds, and ultimately to understand and produce spoken language. -
- Andrea
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:35
Wow.. this article is mind-blowing and insulting at the same time. Before I type further, I'm Deaf, non-CI user, ASL user. ASL is American Sign Language, which is well known language among Deafs.
I agree with Kristen on this article for only showing the pros for CI. Trust me, there's are some cons. Sadly, many doctors, like Dr. Batten, only show the pros to the public. I'm sure that all of you know that everything have pros and cons, since no one is perfect. Also, the public has the rights to know the cons. So the article won't mislead the public.
I'm offended by this quote, The school for the deaf is being phased out, he says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. I don't realize that I'm idiot? And my income is that low? (Yes, I have a job!!) And I can't intergrate into society? (sorry my family and my friends, I don't know that I am suppose to be loner.) Btw, that was sarcastic comment in case you can't tell. Yes, deafs do know how to be sarcastic. I know it's surprising that we are able to do this.
I'm truly disappointed in this article, it only shows one point of view, where is other view?
I don't think it's anything wrong with being Deaf. It's nice to be different, not be exactly same of other people. Or this world will be a boring place. We have diversity in this world which is races, religions, backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, customs, disabilites, etc. If we eliminate all of those. It would be a dull place to live in. Echhh.
Thanks. -
- kimee
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:22
i believe that it is in a doctors best interest to give all the best possible options to a patient. even if it means a CI. But I do not agree with the eradication of deafness. I am studying to become an american sign language interpreter and alot of my close friends are deaf. i think its crazy talk when this article reads sign is a dying language. i love the deaf culture, i think its a beautiful language. i would not dedicate my life to learning the language if i did not think so.
-
- Deanna
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:21
...these exclusionary approaches violate a childs basic human and linguistic right and have been proven to be ineffective for the majority of Deaf children. Read more about oral, any of device assistance, etc below
You have to act now to protect any kind of Sign Language - do it now in Newfoundland
Read below for an example
www,dbcusa.org
Advocating for Bilingualism-Biculturalism
A Birthright of Every Deaf Infant and Child
We collectively call for an end to intolerance and exlusion of American Sign Language in a Deaf infant and child's life and education.
1. Whereas research has shown that children acquire a natural language, one that is fully accessible, and that exposure to the language needs to happen at an early age.
2. Whereas a fully accessible language means one that is easily perceived and expressed so that the child can acquire it without training. Deaf children are visual children. The primary channel for acquiring language fully and completely is through visual channels.
3. Whereas American Sign Language, ASL is a natural, visual language, which is acquired through natural interactions with others who use the language, and Deaf children acquire it in the same way that children around the globe acquire their native languages. All other methods and approaches that exclude the use of a natural visual language are artificial and inhumane.
4. Whereas exposure to this natural, accessible language is a human and linguistic right and must happen at an early age in order for the childs cognitive skills to develop.
5. Whereas the fluency of ASL has been shown to be the key to ASL and English (functional, critical, and cultural) Literacy for Deaf children and their overall academic development.
6. Whereas keeping a Deaf child away from sign language and Deaf people communicates a denial that the child is Deaf. This type of isolation from language, identity and culture has adverse affects on social and emotional development and self esteem.
7. Whereas many Deaf adults today intimately know the experiences of growing up without accessible language, without the ability to communicate smoothly with their families, and without being able to participate in social situations through oral/aural only methods.
8. Whereas there has been a second wave of Oralism (an oral-aural ONLY mandate) spreading across the U.S., which as been in practice since the Milan Congress of 1880 with an abysmally low rate of success. For Deaf children research and years of experience with oral/auditory only programming has shown that these exclusionary approaches violate a childs basic human and linguistic right and have been proven to be ineffective for the majority of Deaf children (Babbidge Congressional Report 65, Commission on Education of the Deaf Congressional Report 88).
9. Whereas bilingual-bicultural programs have never EXCLUDED English and there is ample research reporting their success. (Drs. Jim Cummins, Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Laura Petitto, Harlan Lane, Stephen Nover, et al.)
We resolve to advocate for the basic inalienable human right to a natural and fully accessible language to understand and be understood naturally to be a part of the Deaf infants and childs birthright. Be it further resolved, the EXCLUSION of a bilingual-bicultural approach to the Deaf child is no longer a tolerable option for civilized society.
Please sign your name to this PETITION to show your support for the Deaf childs right to ASL and English. -
- Megan
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:15
No No No! all wrong!
-
- Melissa
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:00
Dr. Batten has the courage to speak the truth, and I applaud and thank him for that. I am the parent of two daughters with bilateral cochlear implants, now ages 22 and 14. Their implants in combination with Auditory-Verbal therapy have enabled them to be fully participating members of the hearing world. They communicate with ease using spoken language and do not need an interpreter. They hear so well that they use the phone with no problem and watch and understand movies and TV without captions. This is the wave of the future, and it's a growing wave. In my county, the spoken language programs are mushrooming in the schools, whereas the sign language programs are down to at most two children. The deaf culture is waning because over 90% of deaf babies are born to hearing parents who not only recognize the benefits of hearing and speaking but who also want their children to be a part of their family, their culture and their world, and the cochlear implant makes this possible.
-
- Rebekah
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:58
I am shocked that such an educated person as Dr. Batten could make such ignorant remarks regarding Deaf Culture and Sign Language. I grew up as a hearing child with a Deaf parent (CODA) and currently work for a Deaf Organization. I certainly don't feel that Sign Language hindered my growth in any way.
Sign Language is currently being utilized by many organizations/programs for hearing AND deaf children. Due to the fact that SIGN LANGUAGE has phenomenal benefits for both cultures. As Dr. Batten himself pointed out, Cochlear Implants are not for everyone depending on the type of hearing loss the person has. I agree with Ms. Connors stating the Pros and Cons should have been listed rather than belittling the Deaf Community. I am sure there are many CI success stories as well as many failures. Both topics should have been discussed.
In regards to the decline in numbers of Deaf students attending NSD, all the information was not provided. Part of that reason is due to integrating Deaf students into hearing schools.
So, my question to the Doctor is:
How do you Eradicate Deafness when Cochlear Implants don't work for everybody (young and old)? Your statement is contradicting. I feel an APOLOGY to the Deaf Community is in order here. -
- David
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:47
I am a student at Rochester Institute of Technology which is linked with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. I am a hearing student here, but I have been blessed with many deaf and hard of hearing friends. A warm and loving culture that accepted me and has allowed me to be a part of it.
I have friends who have a CI and those who strongly oppose it. There are definitly pros and cons on both sides, and it does take some getting use to, just like those trying hearing aids for the first time.
ASL is not a dying language, and the deaf culture is not a dying culture. More and more I see it in every major city i have traveled to. Every year I have more hearing friends who are embraced by our comon friends and are given the chance to join in with the deaf and hard of hearing (HH) community.
I think that even given the chance to hear, all people should learn ASL. It is a great helper in learning other languages, and it is a wonderful way to communicate. ASL taught at a young age has the possibility of helping kids be more expressive and to communicate better. It is a language on concept, and helps build an understanding of other languages. Also, what if something happens and the implant runs out of batteries, comes off, or any number of things? ASL should be learned regardless for those times that you really do need to communicate. -
- John
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:52
Dr. Batten is not GOD thinking he could remove Deaf Culture from the Earth.
Please read an important version Leviticus 19:14
in the bible book and prove that he is EXTREMELY agnorant
John Warren, Victim by AGB and AVT -
- USA
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:42
Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society.
WOW, what an insult!! Who do you think we are.. A lot of us have a decent jobs. How can you call yourself a CI Surgeon?
sign language is a dying language. Where have you been? Its one of the language now in the book just like French, Spanish, so go on. How could you say that to our faces?
I am so glad that I do not live in Newfoundland anymore becasue of this cramps. You guys pull the deaf people down. If i happened to be in Nfld, I will be coming to Janeway and find Dr Batten and i would have a serious word with him. You shouldnt be a doctor at all.
Dr. Batten, you are very disgusted, and you have no idea you have hurt our feeling. -
- Hedy
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:30
Dr. Batten has grown a big ego in his head because he is the only one who done CI surgeries in Canada. He makes $$$ off Deaf Children. He put them in a lot of dangers to face the world!
In addition, He is simply an ignorance! -
- John
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:25
I know sign language a little. My sister and her husband have profound hearing loss and are strong ASL users. They earn over 6 figures and I must admit that I'm jealous! In no way would I think anything differently of them if wearing a CI.
Parents are just confused. All doctors play like God . If I have a disabled child I would tell the doctors to get the hell out of my life. I search for informed choices and do what's the best for my child. -
- Ryan
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:22
I'd like to interject another quick comment. I hope it will not get edited like my first one did. br br So sign language is a dying language. It's only for the older people who are beyond the cochlear implant years now. br br It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now. br br I couldn't help but to drop and roll on the floor laughing. I cannot imagine that happening anytime soon. As long as humans thrive on the planet there will always and always be Deaf people no matter what. br br The greatest irony that could ever bestow Dr. Batten is if he had a child who was born Deaf and didn't qualify to get a cochlear implant. br
-
- Anthony
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:13
Dr Tony Batten... If he has his own son/daughter or grandchildren, I wonder he would add cochlear implant for his own family member.
If I see his own supportive for his own family membership, I will not talk or see him because he does not support American Sign Language.
ASL's site is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Sign_Language -
- Kent
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:58
I am hearing, and thus have limited insight into this topic. That doesn't stop me from being disturbed by the insensitivity displayed by Dr Batten's comments in this article. I am sure he is very knowledgeable in his medical field of specialty, however, we are all familiar with being book smart vs people smart . It seems to me that to truly represent deaf interests he needs to better understand their group (and individual) struggles, opinions and culture. It is obvious he requires some reflection on this issue or he would not have made such general and condescending remarks. He mistakenly links the improving technology of CI's with decreasing enrollment in the School for the Deaf in NL. Decreasing enrollment has to do almost entirely with a rollback in Government services to the deaf and forced integration into the public school system, not a dying culture or a dying language. I don't think it's appropriate for a physician to portray his clients as broken or in need of repair, and who, without his intervention would be doomed to a life of less satisfaction, less income, and less value to society. Whether it was his intention or not, I find the overall tone of the article to be condescending and perpetuating of a stereotype I thought was long gone.
Having said all that, I am also less than impressed with the Telegram for having written what appears to be to be a poorly researched article. The quotes from the Education Minister are misleading. I would like to see the Telegram further research this topic and provide a more balanced and fact based report on the erosion of services being offered to the deaf community. -
- Sherry
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:58
I am a parent of a twin, one with a mild hearing loss (not enough for aids) and the other with a severe to profound loss and wears hearing aids in both ears. The hearing loss was discovered thru an ABR test at the age of 2. To witness the first reaction when those aids were placed in my sons ears is a memory I'll treasure forever. As a parent and speaking from my own personal view I can't imagine not giving him a chance at hearing if the opportunity was there. The cochlear implant wouldn't have worked with the type of loss he has.
Dr. Batten is our ENT and takes the time to make sure you understand everything your going thru. I've never felt pressured by him and enjoy our many visits. Like Maggie said, he is a wonderful person and a very caring doctor.
My child attended the School for the Deaf for many years and at the time that was what he needed. Within the past couple years he was mainstreamed to a hearing school (our choice) and is doing fabulous. It's opened up many opportunities for him and he has grown and blossomed so much its overwhelming. Sign language will always be apart of him and our family. It's who he is as a person and nobody can take that away from him. Deaf culture is something you don't choose, its who you are. Every situation, every person is different. What works for some may not work for others so I only speak from my own personal experience. -
- Misha
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:58
This article disgusted me!
ASL is not dying language, for chrissake! What about other deaf children without C.I. for some reason? Deaf Schools should remain for the Deaf children who couldn't or wouldn't get C.I. so they can thrive in education as long as ASL is involved.
As for C.I. children being in public schools, would they function well without ASL and no social life ? I don't think so. Without C.I. they are still Deaf, period. How could they communicate when C.I. breaks down or malfunction? Come on....use your common sense. The children (both hearing and deaf) acquire ASL from birth to 3 years old would pick up more vocabularies than you could ever imagine before they learn how to talk in full sentences. I've seen hearing parents teaching their hearing babies ASL in order to prevent misunderstood among them. That really works. But AVT prevents Deaf and C.I. children from acquiring the true language to ensure the smooth communication.
Obviously you haven't done your homework nor study on how ASL impacts on Deaf and C.I. children....even on hearing children as well.
Still, this article and Dr. Batten is very disgusting.
Misha -
- Gham
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:56
A. Morrissey, do yourself a favor by changing your career field. Judging by your article, you are not cut out to be the next Gerald Clark or any good journalist for that matter.
However, if you do really want to be a journalist, stop slacking and do more research next time and interview in person, not in email from your chair in your office (or cubicle). You know? See the world more. You will find out more cool things to write about that way.
Interestingly enough, according to Terms of Use, specifically, 7.1.2, it says it should not incite hatred and personal threats? Guess what, buddy? You just did with this article. -
- Proud to be Deaf
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:47
Hello,
I am a Deaf student at Gallaudet University. I want people to understand that cochlear implants are to be used as a tool for living NOT as a cure for deafness. Once a person is a deaf, person will always deaf. Beside, cochlear implant destroys the inside of the ear, leaving person unable to hear at all without cochlear implant. I encourage qualified clients to get cochlear implants, but unqualified clients should not get it. I have deaf friends who have cochlear implants because they are qualified and able to speak well, ended up being able to use the cochlear implant well. I myself, however, have no patience with speech therapy, am terrible at lipreading, have poor hearing, and could not speak as well as hearing people despite the fact that I do have an excellent speech therapist. Hence, I am NOT qualified for cochlear implants and I know that if I do get it, the result would be a disaster. I would have no language because I cannot access to spoken language and would be told to not learn ASL. Fortunately I have ASL as my first language so because I cannot use speech/speak to communicate, I have ASL and written English to communicate. As you can see, I can write very well; this is a result of bilingualism education (ASL and written English).
Let me tell you something, I am against people who oppress ASL, the language of the Deaf, and hearing as well. (My hearing younger brother's first language was ASL and grew up in bilingual home, with both ASL and English, and is very very genius person nowadays)
I support choice. All deaf people should have the choice of having cochlear implants or not, of learning ASL or not. I was given the choice by my hearing parents (who by the way are Canadians) and I am doing very well nowadays, very successful in my areas of study. I am a very happy well-being person with high esteem, thanks to my parents giving me choices not forcing me to do a method. They accept me for who I am- a Deaf daughter.
If you have to make decision of whether to give your deaf child a cochlear implants or not, please do take a time to visit deaf schools AND oralism schools. Please do a lot of balanced research! Gallaudet University is a wonderful place to begin with and we will give you the honest truth, unlike the doctors whom pockets are lined with wads of money given from the cochlear implant companies in order for them to have as much cochlear implants being sold. Sadly, most doctors and Cochlear Implants companies are all about money, not really considering the unique individual needs of your deaf children.
Please do a lot of balanced research! Your deaf children will thank you for this someday. I did- I thank my parents endlessly. :) -
- Graham
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:41
To start this off, I'm deaf and have a CI, but it has been not successful, mostly because I did not like how the verbal training was carried out and rebelled against it.
Anyway, note that CIs does not always work; it's not the silver bullet.
I'm currently attending Ernest Charles Drury School for the Deaf, because NSD does not work for me (it's a failure because of its innate inability to provide courses to students, due to lack of teachers bah bah)
Finally, I dislike how this article treats deafness as a disease that can be 'cured.' We can live with it, and deaf people still can succeed, even without the ability to hear. -
- Vincent
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:40
I still cannot believe that the newspaper editor allow that article be printed. Its not so ethically as the journalism would practise. That would be challenged by UN Charters on the ground of cultural genocide, and numerous researches by pretigious universities to support ASL as genuine language. I am simply stunned and disgusted that there is so much effort to erdicate Deaf Culture. What's so bad or ugly about Deaf Culture & Community. Frankly I am not too impressed with the editorial board.
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- Tom
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:30
I'm normally a person is hard to offend, but this somehow manages to do it. This is full of crap and bias that I don't know where I can start and I'm not going to bother as this is not just worth my time. It's even worse than yahoo.com news articles. It does take the cake indeed.
Telegram editors, I thought you are better than letting this article through. Also, the author deserves to be reprimanded, suspended or fired. (Note: Use the classic recession excuse to fire him) -
- TIffany Butt
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:26
I can't believe the quoted comments made by Dr, Batten. It is very sad to hear a person in such a social respectfull position to talk down to deaf culture and deaf people.
I do agree that if a child is born deaf or becomes deaf early in childhood, to be given the opportunity to have the cochlear implant.
However, some of the comments made by Dr. Batten has damaged the deaf culture of St. John's in such a way, it is hard to reverse. Thousands of people read these articles and thousands of people with no concieve opinions of deaf culture, now see it as a DYING culture! YOU Dr. Batten have made a mistake. It is not a dying culture. Unfortunately there is just people like you who try to suffocate it without knowing or living the culture yourself, making it difficult for deaf people to live a reasonable life without the struggles of people who just do not understand or are ignorant to this culture.
Tiffany -
- J
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:02
There is nothing wrong with being deaf, there are plenty of deaf people around the world who are successful. My sister didn't get the implant because she is a strong deaf person and believes that there is nothing wrong with her just the way she is, as do I. I cant believe that the telegram would publish such a bias article. I would expect to see a response in the following papers to the effects of how the implant would be bad for you as to show both sides of this story.
This is disgraceful...... from a hearing reader ... -
- Nicole MArsh
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:42
Erika, I understand where you come from with this, but I don't think the lines are as clear as you make them sound. =)
I'm hard of hearing, use hearing aids, only sign when there are Deaf people around. I depend on interpreters, as much as real time captioning. One of my favorite sayings, that a professor here at Gallaudet told me in August... there are many ways to be Deaf. Hard of Hearing people have varying needs amongst themselves, as do the Deaf people. It's hard to draw the line when there's so much overlap. We're all in it together though.
I find that most Deaf people I talk to do not belittle those that have Cochlear Implants, but question what lead them to arrive at the decision to be implanted. Maybe a doctor's one sided (and sometimes misleading) opinion? Maybe the desire to hear and use the implant as a tool? Maybe they decide hearing aids don't sound right and want a new way of hearing.
Most that I talk to do not have much against the CI itself, but the negative attitudes that go along with it.
Media oppression has to end. Yes, I understand they've tried to keep it neutral by interviewing someone from both sides... but I do not agree with having Myrtle Barrett represent the Deaf people. She's a very kind woman, but she doesn't exactly have the Deaf culture awareness that the fully Deaf have.
Newfoundland lacks a lot for both the Hard of Hearing AND the Deaf. I'm pretty certain while the two groups have their differences, this is something we can agree on, and work together in.
Maybe the Hard of Hearing group won't feel the need for interpreters, and the Deaf won't feel the need for FM systems, but each of us understand the inequality and can work together to change that.
Our time is NOW. -
- Andrea
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:35
We are the parents of child with bilateral Cochlear Implants performed by Dr. Batten. Our 21 month old daughter became profoundly deaf in 2007 as a result of Meningitis. She will be 4 years next week and has a very large vocabulary, thanks to Dr. Batten and the Audiology team at the Janeway. We are so glad we gave her the chance to hear again.
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- Kari
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:26
Wow, I couldn't believe this article. I'm a hard of hearing individual, wore hearing aids all my life, and eventually got a CI at the age of 26. I love my CI, but I love my deaf culture even more! I never interacted with another deaf person before until the age of 26 as well... and I love all my deaf friends, and I love ASL. A dying language indeed... it's alive. Maybe more alive today than ever before.. Hearing people just don't take notice...
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- Susan
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:11
God created people
God created Deaf people - there will always be sign language as long as there are Deaf people on Earth
you are not stepping out of the world of sound to see our culture and language from our eyes and experiences - who says that we must have sound and speech to be considered normal ?
as long as a culture is there, language is always there - language and culture can not be apart.
William Stokoe Jr published linguistics of ASL (American Sign Language) to show that ASL is indeed a language with its own rules and structures.
We have jokes, stories & ASL poetry. We play with the language - like non-Deaf do with words.
People who do not want to learn that we are a group of people with our own signed language and Deaf culture. They are ignorant, just like Dr Batten
I am not against cochlear implant. What am I against? a Deaf child with cochlear implant being prohibited from learning sign language - look at non-Deaf babies learning sign language - find out why sign language is beneficial - is it fair for Deaf cochlear implanted babies not having the benefit to learn sign language
There are Deaf people who spent years on using speech only and switched to sign language. They wished they learned sign language earlier.
Why not let the child decide for him/herself if s/he wants to continue being bilingual? It's like being immersed in French.
Ignorant people does not really REALIZE that we do have our own LANGUAGE and CULTURE - and we are DAM* PROUD - what is wrong being Deaf? Do not assume that we consider ourselves disabled . We, culturally Deaf, do not label ourselves Deaf
Who is making us disabled? The system is.
Deaf people EVEN meet on international levels in sports and politics . Sign language is NOT universal - how do we communicate? In INTERNATIONAL sign language! We are able to meet people from different countries - often, we don't know each other' signed language but still we communicate in INTERNATIONAL sign language!
When non-Deaf people from different countries and know their own language only meet at an event - how will they communicate with each other? will they be holding dictionaries? or paying for their own human interpreter?
DAM* proud to be Deaf and proud to be born in St. John's NOT! -
- Deaf
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:45:52
This is one of the most sickening piece of article that I ever read in my whole life! You are a huge disgrace to our community trying to destroy our culture! You should do research before you open your mouth the next time Dr.Batten. Some of the things you said is load of crap. I dare you to say that to an audience of all deaf people the next time and see what you would get. ugghhh.. I can't actually believe he got the guts to said these thing and insult the deaf community. It seems like you care more about the money than anything else. Dr.Batten, you better apologized to the deaf community because your words were very insulting, disgusting, and ignorant. I believe you do owe us one after what you said!
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- Shelly
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:45:23
This man needs is disgusting and extremely disrespectful!
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- Ashley
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:45:17
I am a grade eleven student at Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton, Ontario. I was born and raised in Deaf enviroment fully since my parents are Deaf themselves too. I went to both Deaf and mainstreamed schools since I was Kindergarten. I can honestly say that Deaf school help us, the Deaf students tremondously becuase we face less discrimation and criticisms from adults regarding the fact we are Deaf.
I caused a lot of trouble in mainstreamed school because I hated their philosophy about educating Deaf students. I rebelled against them and skipped school a lot (in one school year, I would skip about a total of three months). I got below than average marks but when I entered Deaf high school. I was back home. I felt same and free in Deaf environment. Why? Because they are Deaf and I am Deaf too. We are same and we share the same history, culture, literature, and pride. My marks in Deaf school contrasted sharply with the ones I got in mainstreamed school. I was and still am a straight-A student, a honor roll student. I've been taking several courses from mainstreamed school while being in Deaf school. I'm doing very well now.
My parents were raised in oral enviroment at Ontario School for the Deaf Belleville (now Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf). They didn't recieve great education because they couldn't communicate despite trying and learning how to speak for 15 years. They never wanted me to go through what they experienced. They decided against CI and they made sure I was in a bilingual bicultural education program. I was equal with my parents' education when I was in grade four and by the time I was in grade seven, I exceeded theirs. Since that, my parents have relied on me to help and edit their written English.
When I graduate, I plan to be majoring in a medical or science field.
This proves everything that CI doesn't help Deaf people live better lives as fake hearing people. I've known several people with CI around my age who doesn't use ASL and I am sad to say that I couldn't communicate with them because they know no language. They cannot sign or write. How in the world could they live if they don't even know how to read or write English?
Try telling me, a 100% Deaf person, that CI will help Deaf people succeed in their lives if I am everything that contrasts with your theory.
I'm saying that what you said is a theory because it is not a proven fact.
My suggestion: Take on a wider perspective and act less biased because you cannot force a black person to act as a white person. It's same thing with Deaf people. -
- Anthony
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:45:14
Not for me. I am happy who I am deaf right now. :) Deaf Power and ASL (American Sign Language) are our culture how Dr. Tony Batten has no heart to deaf culture.
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- Lisa
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:56
I have been profoundly deaf since I was three years old. I am fully oral and uses sign language. I went to deaf program in Rochester from Kindergarten to 4th grade. Then I decided to move back to Livonia where I grew up and closer to home. I entered Livonia Central school at 5th grade and graduated the top third of my senior classmates in 2000. I was mainstreamed with full time interpreter & full time teacher of the deaf/note taker. I am also Rochester Institute of Technology graduate of 2005.
I had made my own decisions of where I wanted to go to school at age of 12 and both of my parents stood by me. My parents knew I would overcome so many obstacles at school but made it through fighting with teachers that they thought I wasn't going to make it to 12th grade. Sure enough, I proved them that I was gonna make it to graduation and I am no different from anyone else. Of course it was a wake up call to all of them believing that I was the only deaf student with positive, quiet inspiration in everything I could do just like any hearing kids. Every teachers and staffs were so amazed and thought to themselves This girl is really tough and she did it herself!
I find myself really proud of who I am and where I come from and have great education with both degrees.
Im not discussing the pros and cons of the cochlear Implant. I understand how the deaf people community feels so hurt by what Dr Batten says Sign language is a dying language. Dr Batten is extremely wrong to use his words about deaf people and culture. People have difficulty of understanding about deaf culture and ASL language. I feel strongly that Dr Batten should have understand about deaf culture first before he discusses it in his Article.
Hope it will be a wake up call and be respectful to deaf people and stop looking down at them like if they were inferior. My recommendation for Dr Batten is that he should have wrote a huge apology to the deaf community before it gets worse! We deaf people do not have a disease. I dont believe sign language will die!! -
- Sheldon
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:49
Mr Batten said that who had deaf child become hearing implant , and that his said nice point about it but ( one reason way Mr Batten said that sign language is dying) that no reason,, he is wrong , because sign language is good way for help to people make sure understand whatever want. Also most people do popular that sign language!! , because sign language is soo friendly.. and mmost hearing people told me that sign language is soo amazing and wow cant believe , because that part of make them so proud that new learn world.. deaf and hearing are same way when sign language and talk are same but hear loss have cant hear good talk..
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- Denika
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:40
For those who have referred to Deafness as being a deficiency , clearly you have never been in the company of Deaf people or been exposed to their culture. Individuals should read up on the history of American Sign Language to see how far it has come, to see how it has freed hundreds of Deaf people who finally found THEIR voice.....through the use of sign. To think for one minute that Deaf people cannot function in the hearing world is totally absurd. By doing a bit of research on the contributions to society of the Deaf community, you'll soon see that these people do not need fixing.
I'm not saying I am against CI, not at all, it IS for some people. But it is outrageous for anyone to say some of the things has been said regarding Deaf people and Sign Language.
Just this past August, the Newfoundland Association of Visual Language Interpreters hosted a conference here in St. John's, in which 250 participants from multiple countries came to network and engage in professional development sessions, ALL of which point to a thriving Deaf community and sign language. -
- Anna
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:31
The answer to Edward Bragg's question is no, because they won't even do a cochlear implant if you are able to hear with a hearing aid. Therefore deafness is not being eradicated, and sign language is NOT a dying lanugage. I am a teacher and I can tell you that the reasons for the low numbers of students at the School for the Deaf have to do with an increasing emphasis on reintegration into the regular school system (With a sign language interpreter, of course !!).
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- Brad
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:26
I am a profoundly deaf 28-year-old accountant. I am very proud to say that I am a NSD alumni. It is really sad to see it closing. American Sign Language is a dying language?? Ha Ha, I find this very hilarious.
My parents admitted to me that they would get me implanted in a heartbeat if it was an option in 1981. When the mass-implanting began in the 1990s, I actually thought we were witnessing the end of Deaf culture but 10-15 years later, the Deaf culture is still thriving despite the technological advances of C.I. and the closures of schools for the Deaf. It shows how resilient we are. We wont back down at all.
Please dont think that C.I. is the cure for deafness. People with C.I. have to use extra caution when playing sports or doing physical labour. Surgery could go horribly wrong. People with C.I., who never learned sign language, look like deer in the headlight when their battery died down. Poor them!
I feel really bad for those kids who are not qualified for cochlear implants. They will face hardships on a daily basis if they stay in Newfoundland. I now understand WHY deaf children always eagerly look forward to Deaf camps every summer, where they can freely use sign language. Many deaf children today only see their deaf friends once a year!
After graduating from Newfoundland School for the Deaf, I went to the United States to receive my post-secondary education because Canada has the lack of services for the Deaf. If parents want their deaf children to be treated with dignity and respect, I strongly urge them to move out of Newfoundland and Labrador. -
- Graham
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:19
I don't think ASL or a lot of other sign languages (yes, there are a lot of sign languages, go look it up) are actually dying.
There are plenty of ASL users in North America, in millions, and there are a lot of other languages with a lot less users that are still 'alive' up to this day. Most importantly, IT IS NOT BEING ONLY USED BY OLD PEOPLE. WHERE YOU DID GET THIS BULL FROM?
Lastly, judging by blatant (likely subtle to everyone who does not really know anything about the subject covered here) bias in this article, I'm willing to go as far as accusing the author of this article failure to follow the rule of objectivity, a key rule of professional journalism. -
- mike
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:13
Very disappointed you assumed all of these rumors about being deaf are true. Let me tell you something, I have a cochlear implant and my daughter does also. IT DOES NOT mean this Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. We will still face discrimination no matter what!
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- D
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:59
Dr. Batten Im sure is well trained and great at what he does. However, he should probably learn to think before he speaks. The Telegram should have also thought before posting such an oppressing article. There are usually at least 2 sides to every story and often more. Implants may be beneficial for some, but to Eradicate Deafness?! Its not a contagious disease. Not everything needs to be FIXED. If the Good Lord intended for all to be hearing, straight with blonde hair and blue eyes, he would have made us that way. As for the closure for the school for the Deaf, the kids are being forced out and new students are being turned away. What about the upcoming children? What happens to them? There are already plans to make NSD into a high school once the Paradise kids get situated. Somebody should be checking into all of this, were all supposed to be humans with Equal Rights!
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- Anthony
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:48
I never forget what I was volunteer with deaf day program in Ottawa.
I was involved to play with deaf children at Deaf Centre. I saw little boy with Cochlear Implant that he was around 6 years old. He loved to go for swimming till he got infection. -
- Rob
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:31
The doctor may be a good technician but is daft in the art of tolerance and sensitivity.
Deaf culture is legitimate and signa language a work of art; whose not struck by the grace of the hand movements
another -ism on the rise. -
- Laurie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:23
My daughter is deaf and is one of the many for whom the implant has not worked. She has had it since she was two years old. While I am glad we were able to get it for her in one sense - she will know we tried - I'm sorry I wasn't more informed when we made the decision. Often parents who decide for their children do so because they simply don't know any deaf adults-role models, have only the doctor's pathological view of deafness upon which to base their decision. Doctors believe, as does this surgeon, that deafness is a disease that needs to be cured. We have come to believe that our bright, capable, outgoing daughter is not disabled at all, but rather part of a language minority, able to one day be anything and do anything she desires. The implant does not cure deafness, it will not eradicate it. It is a wonderful tool when it works as intended. But ASL has been here for a long time and will endure, as will the culture. It's a shame some of these doctors don't actually have a clue about the people or cultures they serve. If they worked with the Deaf, they would provide such a service to hearing parents of deaf children, instead of adding to the confusion.
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- Kirsten
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:03
As a hard of hearing student at NSD, I feel obligated to respond to this article due to it's lack of insight.
While, I think it's great that people have the opportunity of taking the risk of getting a CI, this article portrays the situation in the wrong way.
The public has the right to know ALL the facts. The pros AND cons should have been stated, otherwise this is the manipulation by the media.
But what really got me writing this is the statements about deaf culture and our school.
The doctor is in no position to make invalid insults at the deaf community. It only makes him look unprofessional to the people who know the difference.
Also, the school's closure has been planned for several years, and was not based on the introduction of CI in 1999. The real problem is the parents integrating their children into regular schools either by choice or by coercion by the Dept. of Education.
While I am forced to go to Gonzaga High next year in order to graduate, NSD will always be my school and it will live on through the deaf and hard of hearing people for many years to come. It is unfortunate that hundreds of children haven't had the opportunity to experience what I have experienced.
Minister King must be getting his facts from the previous Minister Joan Burke. She seemed very uniformed regarding deaf education and deaf culture. Her comments were also insulting and manipulative. Let's hope this Minister does his homework and gets the real facts straight before speaking to the public about the future of the deaf and hard of hearing education.
Kirsten Connors -
- Gregory
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:58
I am very disapointed with Dr. Tony Batten.
I am deaf in Newfoundland School for The Deaf and I am in grade 7. I also have several deaf family members.
Anyways Dr.Batten talked about eradicating deafness but it's not even true!!! -
- Zan
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:57
I am disgusted that someone who has a great education (he is a doctor) and a better income would be so ignorant and uneducated to comment as he does without experiencing Deaf culture and the Deaf world as Deaf people do. Should all people who wear glasses have laser surgery because they have problems seeing? No.. it is not right for everyone and neither are CI! So why push the CI onto people who may not want it. Perhaps the great doctor's income is not as great as he wishes and this is a way to make more money. Regardless, I cannot believe someone who should have a great education is not really educated about anything! I have experienced Deaf Culture first hand, and I think Mr. Batten needs to open his eyes, not his ears!
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- Laura
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:44
Could some explain the CONS to this implant and why people are against it? I don't doubt that american sign language is a benefit to have and those who need it should beunderstood.. as well as their needs understood.
I am not informed whatsoever on those hearing impaired but wouldn't an implant which provides hearing all and all be a benefit regardless of cons due to the fact that it brings about safety for those hearing impaired???
Just wondering... not really sure.. -
- Ruth
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:43
I am DEAF and I am very proud for who I am. That is an insult for Dr. Batten's remarks about our DEAF Cultures. He is discriminating of our sign languages and this is our language. He is radical... Must show some respects toward DEAF. I respect french languages, I live in Quebec and we treated well in our DEAF communites (Both ASL and LSQ). I am from Newfoundland.. This is disgusting!!!
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- Richard
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:40
Now we see through the comments here that the culturally deaf people bully people who believe in advancing the deaf community with the civilization.
The culturally deaf people needs to end their 129 year grudge against the hearing people, the CI deaf, the oral deaf, and the medical industry.
If the culturally deaf so wish to be embraced by society, they have to start embracing themselves and not pick fights over how they should live and communicate.
In other words;
They need to grow up!
Richard -
- Daniel
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:13
*ahem*
Yes I am American and I happen to have MANY friends who are coming from Canada, and few of them are Newfoundland(ians). I love them all, and this article really insult and shock me. I'm not sure where to start.
I'll start here... First of all let me explain little bit about myself... I am PROUD Deaf young man... I am coming from 4th Generation Deaf family, and there are 30 Deaf members in my family... I expect to continue my Deaf Generation... ASL is BEAUTIFUL language, and there are a lot of things that English cant interpret or has no meaning for ASL because it's ADVANCED language... Go and research my people... I'm making decent income enough to support myself... Only if i make little bit more income, and I definitely will invest it in HI (Hand Implants) for those people like Mr. Batten... So they can sign :)
Gallaudet University (The only and one Deaf University in world) is a AMAZING place to be! Everyone went there, and will be amazed! Even if Mr. Batten goes to Gallaudet University, and I promise you all he will drop his medicine practice, and rally along with Deaf people In case you are wondering where the heck is Gallaudet University? Its in Washington, D.C. please take a moment and visit the website at the end of this comment. It explains what it has to offer, and how it prepares Deaf people for beyond colelge I knew many Deaf people who graduated from Gallaudet University and they end up became Doctor, Lawyer, and even Judge
People like Mr. Batten may want to eradicated Deaf like some kind of virus or disease... News flash smarty pants... People before you did try that... We are still around... In ancient time people like Mr. Batten would do much worst method of eradicating Deaf people... Million of Deaf people have died from those methods... Read book A Place of their own , and you will understand what i mean... Nothing work, and we just keep coming and coming... Since Deaf wont be gone at all, nor will ASL and Deaf Culture...
p.s. The Telegram You just released the Hell upon earth Only way to protect your companys reputation Go and research more on us, Deaf, and our language and culture Its time for ingroant people like you learn something new -
- Chad
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:34
The school for the deaf is being phased out, he says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society.
Mr. Batton, I was born Deaf and raised in a Deaf Community and I worked hard for what I have earned in life and proud to say that I have graduated from Newfoundland School for the Deaf and to call the school, Home Sweet Home.
Your words of oppressions disgusts me as it interpreted that I am stupid . I went to Rochester, New York that had all kinds of supports for Deaf needs and I earned my Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering and now, I am a 27 years old employed engineer and I am comfortable and licensed.
This is another example of how Oppressions in Newfoundland and Labrador have ditched their own people to other places for a better accessability to life, as I am in Maryland.
You may have intelligence but you don't understand our way of life. We don't need your implants.
This is the worst, disgusting and insulting article that I have ever read. -
- sam
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:09
sign language is never going to die. it has always been around for thousands of years. get your facts straight, ALISHA MORRISSEY.
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- Barbie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:40:56
i was a cochlear implant user for a year and unfortunately, i had a lot of complications and had to have it removed. maybe this is god's way of telling me that it's PERFECTLY normal to be deaf.
perhaps your country needs a serious reality check regarding disabled people & to learn how to be open minded. not all disabled people are spiteful about their barriers & have been able learn to cope with it (accessibilities, culture, & acceptance).
This article is nothing but oppression & that's a huge disappointment.
DEAF PRIDE from Colorado, USA! -
- Maggie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:40:52
Dr. Batten has been my doctor for a number of years, he is a wonderful person and a very caring doctor. :)
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- Monica
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:40:52
Oh please, dont think that deaf culture is a past. You cant do that to Indian, Indigenous, or black group that it is the past culture and they move on. Our deaf culture is our history of past, present and future and we have no problem in our life except can't hear which we dont want to have cochlear implants. It will give me headache if I try it on. I dont want it at all! Keep deaf culture on!
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- Richard
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:40:36
This article represents the truth the deaf community is facing. They don't want to face this truth. They cant handle this truth.
The cochlear implant, currently the mainstay of dealing with hearing loss, is becoming more of a bridge to newer technology to accomplish the same result almost seamlessly. I serve on a stem cell council and we have our sights on mitigating hearing loss using stem cell technology.
I also make presentations, in high schools and education expositions, on the early CI generations because the bulk of them are completing junior high school and entering high schools. The CI students are close to hearing students and the outcomes are better now than it was 20 years ago as the missing elements, to helping these students, have been discovered and are on place like in their IEP achieve better than the early pioneers.
Of course there is a lot of resistance and their methods have been limited to bullying those who have the CI and those who educate people the beauty of hearing, living independently, and breaking free from the claws of deaf culture.
I also run a deaf social service center in Irvine, California just minutes away from University High School which is one of the last strong holds of the absolutist deaf community in California.
Richard Roehm -
- Happy Texter
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:41
Spoken Language is dying anyways. Millions and Millions love texting over chatting.
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- Deanna
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:25
Hello, I have read all comments, wow strong comments...
I'm profoundly deaf, graduated at NSD in 1994. I don't have CI on me.
I want to share the facts with you.
Same reason as Chad Greenham's a better accessability to life to lead me to where I work at Walden School Residential TREATMENT Program - The Learning Center for the Deaf Children. (Check www.tlcdeaf.org & www.wsdeaf.org)
Sign Language is dying ? Nope. Sign Language has many benefits than you think.
Several children come in treatment program to get professional treatments that they don't succeed in other schools or other programs because they are challenging (behaviorally, emotionally and mentally disturbed). Several of them had history of CIs.
Some parents think deaf children get CIs to help them to improve their language, lead to increase their intelligence. CIs do not succeed on some specific challenging children.
They nearly had NO language when enrolled WS same time they had CIs on them. They CAN'T speak, hear, and even was never taught sign language.
NO language leads to their combative aggressive behaviors because they are angry and frustrated and were never taught some kind of language they can express their emotions.
We, WS staff have to teach them SIGN LANGUAGE, expose them with words, gestures, body language, facial expressions, and in process lead to teach them about everyday independent living skills. They turn to sign language to communicate and understand. They develop their abilities to express emotions and develop coping skills. One of them frequently break CIs all the times.
Sign language benefits for special needs children and so many people and animals.
I have met some hearing people, they find sign language really benefits such as horseback therapeutic riding, use to communicate with both deaf & hearing horses, dogs, zoo keepers use with gorillas and monkeys, under water scuba diving, and much more.
Its fad right now parents are learning to use sign language for hearing babies...
I'm questioning why can't students with CIs stay at NSD and expand ? They will be always deaf in their souls.
Why can't NSD be kept open to serve ALL deaf, hard of hearing, and CIs students in total communication/ASL environment ?
Where I work at TLC - they have EVERYTHING to serve for the needs of children - ALL for deaf, hard of hearing, CIs
TLC has services for Students with Cochlear Implants. A licensed audiologist works with those students who have cochlear implants. The goal for each child with a cochlear implant is to maximize his/her potential in both spoken English and American Sign Language.
Check http://tlcdeaf.org/about/supportServices.html for
Audiology, Spoken English and Communication Department, Counseling Department, Interpreting Services,
Occupational & Physical Therapy, Nursing Department.
For your information, I have met SO MANY CIs and deaf oralism who do not know sign language before. Once they discover about ASL, they are speedy & highly motivated to pick ASL skills up that they miss out for around 18, 19, 20 years and they always turn around and come back to study or work at deaf schools, deaf advocates, deaf-anything, even get invitations to any deaf sports, deaf events, and Deaf Happy Hours... Anything relates with ASL. Thanks to our keep-going soaring technology through Internet, videophones, and chains of people pass on information. It has been always an interesting self-discovery journey in life.
So... That ENT doctor needs to go on business trips across Canada and U.S. to get more exposing experiences and think carefully before he says to the media. -
- Unknown
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:24
to keep your heart beating, now your being a real smart alec. Like seriously, you journalist need to get your facts straighten up.
-
- Deanna
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:20
Forget to add
Deaf Bilingual Coalition is spreading now across U.S. and it's going to be next in Canada and words are already spreading around the world
To find out what is the DBC by go to www.dbcusa.org -
- Sara
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:07
I have been reading the comments posted here about Dr. Batten..I am totally irritated by the way you people are talking about him!!! I think his comments are being taken totally out of context!! He is here to help. He's an amazing doctor and person and my life would not be the same if my family didn't meet him. I am a mother of a 4 yr old girl who lost her hearing in her 2nd year of life. She was immediately implanted when we discovered her hearing loss. We were not forced by Dr. Batten or anyone else at the Janeway. Right now she has bilateral implants and she is doing amazing! For the people who only look at the cons of CI's, come and meet my daughter. I assure you, each one of you will change your mind!!!! I don't feel that my daughter is deaf. To me she wears her CI's just the same as I wear my glasses. She HAD a problem and Dr. Batten corrected that. Thank God! For those of you who have never met Dr. Batten, please don't base an oppinion. As I said before he is the best thing that has ever happened to my family.
-
- perfect
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:38
NL should be greatful for such talented surgeons. As we all know, it is hard to get specalized professionals to plant root in Newfoundland. I have never met this man but I would certainly consider him a modern day saint.
-
- Very Proud to be DEAF!
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:34
Dr. Batten is obviously living in a prehistoric cave! Sign language is a dying language....?!....excuse me! I am laughing very hard!!!! It is VERY MUCH ALIVE!!!! There are many notable Deaf people who have good jobs. I can understand how late deafened people would want to have cochlear implants as it would help them as they already have the fundamentals of hearing and speaking beforehand. But for a profound Deaf baby who doesn't have the choice to decide at the early age, leave her/him alone! Don't force cochlear implants on anyone. If one wants one, ok, its their decision. As for me, I would never have one. I am very happy in my Deaf Culture and I do participate in the hearing world as I have hearing kids. No problem! =)
-
- Katie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:30
*shrugs* Deaf people who have without implants still can get good education after graduation. The most important thing for a child is to know signs at the early age of his/her life. Some studies said that if an infant know how to sign, she/he will have the ability to communicate better. In my opinion, implants isn't the only thing that can make kids go further in their lives. Communication, either ASL or spoken language, is very important in a child's life.
Other than that, I'm just disappointed in what the dr. say about the deaf community and implants. ASL is still a strong language, but maybe just not in Newfoundland.
It seems like that in the implant industry, their focus is on money. Money that's all they want. -
- Nicole
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:55:02
I'm hard of hearing, I consider myself Deaf. I'm from St. John's, but have come to Washington DC for the world's only Deaf university... know why? Because Newfoundland is severely lacking the support Deaf people need. There's declining numbers of interpreters and support, more people getting implants for all the wrong reasons.
Dr. Batten is my ENT, but if I have to go and see an ENT in the future, I wouldn't be seeing him. The last time I seen him he was telling me things like, Oh, you're the perfect person to get an implant . I kept telling him that I'm not interested, and he'd keep offering. A doctor shouldn't put that kind of pressure on anyone, just express the pros AND cons then allow people to make the decision for themselves. -
- Admirer
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:54:58
I was hoping one day I may find a Dr in who itself Deaf Doctor out somewhere that can do the same with CI toward hearing people to become deaf.. How do you feel that Deaf Doctor decide to have hearing children to become deaf child?
Where is respects.. God dont make people to become normal person.. God perferred to have the world to become natural without being evil.. A child born deaf by natural with Gods heart..
We do have pos and cons toward CI..
If a person grew up with hard hearing impaired and realize that a person lost his/her hearing.. may need Ci is wonderful support..
If a person grew up with DEAF or Totally DEAF.. Don't control or consider or encourage him /her to have CI due its natural birth to become Deaf with their respects..
ASL is very POWER for Deaf Community's values that they need to live with ASL that people cannot stop us from no signing and use lipreading.. Thats not what God want..
LIVE BY NATURAL LIFE IS VERY BEAUTIFUL.. If LIFE BY NOT NATURAL LIFE is VERY UGLY by EVIL..
Think TWICE...
IM VERY PROUD OF BEING TOTALLY DEAF WITH ASL FLUENT
ADMIRER from Nova Scotia -
- Paige
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:54:52
I read this artile about it.
FOr me.. I did tried get coular implant when i was 13-14, They turned me down and say too risky cuz i am only 13-14 Which i should get when i was 2 to 5. But i am glad i didnt today snice Some my deaf friends say it not helping much just louder , not understand words, etc there no diffrence to do that thing. plus Some deaf people died from that. So i know its risky as other sugerys too.
but Kids might cant do sports due the risky of coular implant, etc alot things that might cant do or can do. Which its crazy. Should stay Deaf that way and proud of it. Techogly went up so fast and get new infomation etc.. We should stay Natural.
but i dont understand that parents focous the kids to do it at childhood snice kids have no power to say NO.. NO means no.. Parnets should know better.. its CHILD;s Body not the parnets.
I am glad my mother waited till i am old eough to make my decision about coular implant.
But Some what sometime i am not impressed snice what my friends feels from what parents did.
i agree some people on Comments
which is sad. -
- Chris Rose
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:53:43
In agreement with many posters here on this particular article. One of these posters, is Graham Forsey.
Graham writes about his own experience with C.I.s and I think it's prudent to note that; not only did he run into several failures to learn English (although his I.Q. just fine) he had several failed surgeries. Not with Dr. Batten, mind you, but he certainly went through his own personal hell because of this technology. Which brings me to conclude the same: It's not a silver bullet.
We need to see deafness as a 'difference' in physical form. This man is deaf. Therefore, if he wishes to hear, I may be able to help him get closer to his goal. I can't rightly say that: Because this man is deaf, I need to fix him.
Yes, young people across the planet are dealing with deafness everyday and could very well benefit from a C.I. but who's to say they don't like it better that way? I'm all for informed decisions. And, making a choice based on information that comes from multiple, reliable sources but sometimes we need to just assume that we're wrong - and ask those in the position themselves.
This post is getting quite long so I'll digress and end with this one thing:
I am not a parent. And therefore can not understand what it's like to see a child that cannot hear, as a hearing person and know that emotion. Is it pain? Is it suffering? Is it sadness? Or is it happiness that you have a healthy child that is happy and goes on living after birth? I'm not sure but what I do know is that I disagree with anyone (hearing or deaf) who would judge a parent for making this decision for their child. We can sit here and wax intellectual all day about making the decision for ourselves, but for a child or even an infant. Cross that bridge when you come to it, beyond that, let it be.
And to anyone here who has dealt with this surgeon in person - just be lucky the worst he did was try to sell you something. Because, it could be a whole lot worse by the looks of it. -
- A
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:53:20
Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. SHAME ON YOU DR BATTEN!!
I guess you don't know sign language and that you don't know the deaf society and it's culture. 'Cause if you did you would never say such insulting things.
A cochlear implant is a fantastic hearing aid and it might work for some (many?) but only in the sence of hearing better. Deaf people have no problems being happy and having a good life. With our without hearing! So please don't set your own standard of living, your own language and your own hearing as being the ultimate. It's not! -
- Mindy
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:53:17
Now listen guys, Define Normal? Think about it...
There's no such thing as Normal or may I say perfectionism.
I am absolutely disgusted with you, Dr. Batten, you do not have a clue what you're saying... now now I can understand if you're getting a bit too cocky, but this???
Everywhere you go, everywhere you look, you see difference race, different culture, different people. You do not see Dr. Batten trying to change someone disabled like forcing someone in a wheelchair to walk? They accept them and make sure everything is accessible for them, but why us? Why the deafness? We may be deaf, but... We have a Language, our own language which is Sign Language. Just like English, there are other spoken languages in the world such as French, German or Spanish... and it is the same for Sign Language.
We have our own rules, our own folklore, our own traditions, etc... that makes a Culture.
You, Dr. Batten, really needs to smarten up a bit. You can't change the world.
Now, I have hearing aids, I benefit from them, but.. Sign Language helped me so much. It also helps my daughter at 6 months old! She got the language at very early age and she has the concept of a language because of sign language, then she was able to speak more than 5 vocabulary at the age of 10 months old. Now she is just two years old, she speaks and signs in sentences.. she knows colors etc...
So, you think you can change a person's life by giving him or her a bit of a hearing, without a language to begin with?
What about the person's future? social life, emotional issues?
So, you are stopping the kids from going to the school for the Deaf, the school that they needs! It is not just a school.... you have to understand that everyone in that school is like each other, no one gets left out. No one gets left out, no one goes home crying and say Mommy the kids pick at me, I cant understand them....
Explain this.
We are the voice of our own language and culture, don't you dare try to oppress us, those days are over.
We should act on this now, the problem is.. he haven't met us yet :) -
- Carrie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:53:10
I am the mother of a very smart and intelligent deaf child. My son has had been granted the miracle of bilateral cochlear implants. He is in main-stream school and is performing at (or above)grade level.
My husband and I made the decission for him to have hs first cochlear implant when he was 7 months old. We did weeks of reasearch and decided that this was best for him. We are a hearing family and couldn't even consider not getting the cochlear implants.
I feel very strongly that this was the right decission for our family. Obviously, there are many families like us because of the declining enrollment at the NSD. But we all have to remember that our children are still DEAF! That is who they are and nothing will change that, cochlear implant or not.
Dr. Batten is a miracle maker. He deserves nothing but praise! He is a ground breaking surgeon, helping to bring bilaterals as a norm now for kids in Newfoundland & Labrador. His statements on the NSD being phased out are based on facts. Look at the numbers. If in fact it is phased out, then we will need to advoctae to ensure that the resources are going into the mainstream schools to help these kids keep up with their peers. HE did not incinuate that deafness was going to be erased, The Telegram labelled the article as such.
As an ENT, he knows that deafness is incurable, but it is a disability that has a great invention to help the deaf hear - cochlear implants.
Would this be such an issue if I needed a implant to keep my heart beating? -
- Unbelievable
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:52:56
Ashamed on you Mr. Batten and ALISHA MORRISSEY for this poor researched article, I couldn't believe that Newfoundland's Telegram would dare to run this story on the news for all to see! This article is nothing but biased toward to deaf and CI users! This article need to be well reasearched by interviewing people with CI users and deaf who doesn't wear CI. This insensitivity need to be stopped, whether you are deaf or blind, black or white, whatever happens to equality to all people?
-
- Bryant
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:52:32
I see quite a lot of people are bashing each other on the article. Get over it folks, it is just an article and the press is reporting on a subject that came to light. Get real and get a life, you guys.
I see the rest of you living in isolation and desperation and that is what feeds the ignorance further. Lets get on with our lives.. and that should speak for itself a lot more! -
- Hearing or Not?
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:52:25
I have been subjected to the same treatment of perfect candidate as Nicole, I still think that Dr. Batten is a knowledgeable ENT doctor in NL. He's loves this ability of his to transform a person life and see the ripple effect from it. Not said nasty, but he has that power and he needs to have that personal satisfaction that he as a doctor can change lives.
The Deaf culture will never disappear, that is a given, but it's nice to know that these people can hear their children, grandchildren or even hear the music that is supposed to soothe the soul.
I too have turned this option down, twice in the last 10 years, but now I am ready to sit down with the information to make an informed decision of whether I want this or not.
Ms. Andrea Reid, it is proven to be more successful with the very young (with no/some hearing ability) and the deaf group than any other group. However, I can only imagine the happiness and satisfaction that you are witnessing as your daughter embraces life with so much less obstacles. It is great.
However, I'm in my early 40's and have been hearing impaired all my life with limited hearing but have a good speaking ability. There are pros and cons to every surgery. So, I'm terrified with my limited hearing that I have now I will not beable to adjust to the new sounds. Once this surgery is done, then whether it works or not, there is no going back. That's the drastic downside.
Oh well, still trying to get informed. Batten will just have to wait as I deal with trying to understand how I can be perfect in an imperfect way. -
- Ted
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:52:24
The doctors who think Deafness is eradicating, deaf schools phased out and the signing language knows as American Sign Language is a dying language don't deserve Dr before their names. They need to go back to school, they're obviously idiots. As of right now, Deafness can't be fixed or cure not even with CI or hearing aids. It has been that way since the biblical times. Deaf will always be here, like it or not.
-
- Hearing person
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:56
I think The Telegram missed a valuable opportunity to write a nuanced article about a controversial subject. With apologies to Ms. Morrissey, this was clearly intended as a feel good article but was simply naive reporting. As many have stated, no time was taken to look at the other side of the story. Interviewing a person who became hard-of-hearing later in life, and the hearing parent of a deaf child, without presenting the views of the Deaf community on this topic is pretty lazy, in my opinion. As are statements like So sign language is a dying language...
It was a missed opportunity to address the divide between the views of many deaf individuals that deafness is a culture (hence the capital Ds) vs the views of many in the hearing world that deafness is a disability.
As others have pointed out, I don't think it is fair to demonize Dr. Batten (though he would likely benefit from a little sensitivity training on the subject) who is, I am sure, doing his best to provide what he sees as the best care to his patients.
Like it or not, hearing parents of a deaf child are going to leap at the chance to rid their child of any disadvantage that they can. Some of the comments from deaf readers (in particular, Bradley from NL) are ironically only going to cement these opinions due to their lack of proper written syntax (which I have been told is a common occurrence for ASL users but had yet to witness myself.)
My two cents - boo to The Telegram. -
- Janet
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:48
I have been profoundly deaf my whole of my life. I have a successful career in personal banking for 20 years. I find myself really proud of my deaf identity and have a great education.
Im not discussing the pros and cons of the cochlear Implant.
I understand how the deaf people community feels so hurt by what Dr Batten says Sign language is a dying language. Dr Batten is giving extremely wrong use of words about deaf people and culture. People have difficulty understand deaf culture and ASL language. I feel strongly Dr Batten should have understood deaf culture first before he discusses it in his Article. Hope it will help people wake up and be respectful to deaf people and stop putting them in the dark forever. My recommendation for Dr Batten, is that should have write a huge apologize to the deaf community before it gets worse! We deaf people do not have a disease. I dont believe sign language will die. -
- Trendy
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:34
Strongly considering that Dr Batten certainly discriminates and doesn't accept DEAF to bring into this world, he uses a bad judgement. As he mentioned, sign language is a dying language - is this called himself as a professional and brilliant surgeon? NOT!I'm instantly sure that he is in shock to see how professional and intelligent deaf people make wise comments. Does Dr Batten have common sense? What a shame! Look, I was born hearing but at the 2nd of my age, I lost my hearing loss to become deaf due to the high fever & few other kinds. I was mainstreamed at the public school until I was in the 2nd grade, I continued educating at the deaf school but I was early on the high level so I was put to the hearing classes with the sign language interpreter. Guess what? I was the top one of the students on the campus- all the education was easy for me, obviously a fast learner just like the other hearing people. Now I'm very blossomed to work as a fashion designer and patternmaker for the fashion industry. Even though I have own personal business. See, I'm pretty much proud of being deaf that usually wear a hearing aid and loves sign language, a beauty of language for the public. I thank God for naturally producing me on this globe, my life is blessed everyday through the bad and good time. Plus, I socialize both of hearing and deaf people just normal. I simply don't need PITY! Cochlear implant, for my own opinion, is a ultimate PITY, HARSH and CRUELTY to the deaf community and culture. It is ultimately lame but it is up to you all whether have it or not for your own reason- it's your own body or system.
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- Aguabo
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:32
Dear parents of deaf children, I am sorry that you have to read this. In spite of this, please do not let this destructive literature gets to you. You are welcome to become more informed through reading our available resources. I've listed them under Part 4 Mother Teresa Supports Every Child's Right to Life, Liberty and Property on youtube.
www.youtube.com/aguabo
There is no such thing as a difficult deaf child, only an inexperienced parent. -
- Chris
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:19
Me in NL, he may have helped people out, but the point is he insulted us deaf people, so, of course, we are offended and disgusted. Deafness is not what Dr Batten made it out to be. I accept myself for who I am. I am proud of myself and what I have done to this point. No regret at all in my life. Deafness is NOT a disability. We can do EVERYTHING except hear. I wish I could educate people on deafness, but, unfortunately, most people are close-minded.
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- Stephen
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:19
This articles has disappointed me instantly when I saw those disgusting comments coming from Dr. Batten. How could someone say something so cruel such as So sign language is a dying language and it is not even true!
I am former CI user and I don't wear it anymore for almost 5 years now. It doesn't work for me. It requires a lot of therapy and it used a lot of my childhood time. You may tell me that I may have missed a lot of things during my childhood.
CI is not a cure for the deafness and that is for sure. It is just a device that will give you the ability to hear but won't be perfect just like hearing people. Once you have it turned off, you're deaf again! Simple as that.
Speaking of school's closure, do you really know who/what have caused this? I know you may think this sound riciliously but it's true. Government is actually blocking off the new kids from coming to our deaf school! Why? Government is encouraging the parents to have their kids implanted and attend to the hearing school. So there, is that only the choice the parent have to make based on Government's decision? Yup, so far cause they haven't mentioned them about the deaf school, language they can use to communicate with deaf kids, and services that the deaf kids can benefit from. This has became so tiresome for most of us.
For everyone out there, we, people of deaf community, sent letters, gave our speeches, arranged a rally, and so many things to government to give people the choices for their kids including deaf school, sign language, deaf education, Cochlear Implants, and etc. Guess what, no matter how much effort we already invested in this progress.... government wouldn't listen our voice, wouldn't discuss with us, or no reply from them at all.
Sad but pathetic, isn't it? -
- Rob
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:10
Why would parents want their children to grow up deaf? Why would they deprive them of a sense? Is it maybe that the pro-deaf culture is becoming afraid that the older they get, the more isolated they'll become? Denying a child of the right to hear seems to be a clear violation of human rights, and the incentive for doing so seems entirely selfish without one solid argument. Kind of reminds me of when parents pay for their children to stay home and not work because their afraid of being lonely. Sad.
-
- Ryan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:01
Im still livid and infuriated about this whole article. Hence my fifth appearance on this site (other comments didn't make it cause I let my emotions get the best of myself)
To sum it up, Dr. Batten is a destroyer. -
- Daishun
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:46
Alisha (the writer of this article),
I am seeing there is a lot of disgusted deaf readers who are really disgusted with Dr. Batten. I, too, am very disgusted along with deaf readers. No, I am not a CI user and I would plan not to use them anyway because I know there is risks involved.
Ever seen the show last night called House ? There was a show about a deaf teenager and hearing mother discussing about CI. It did showed that it helped deaf people with their deafness but there are RISKS involved in this. Maybe you should find that show from last night on FOX and see it again on reruns. You will see what their experience is like and how they would decide either they want to remain deaf or use CI. The CI is not a cure for deafness.
Next time, do your research more on cochlear implant and discuss with deaf people and CI users before you post it in the news. This article had created outrage against this article and Dr. Batten. Next time, RESEARCH!!! -
- Longshanks
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:48:55
The fact that a wonderful and supportive culture has grown up around this disability does not change the fact that being deaf is a deficiency that should be corrected if possible.
-
- Julie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:48:32
This should not be an either/or discussion but an both/and discussion. The implant itself is a technological device that has great potential for some people. Research has also shown that those with the implants AND learn sign language are the ones who are most successful. Get the implant or hearing aid AND learn sign language.
Hearing babies are praised for learning sign language at 9 months old but the medical profession is telling parents of deaf/hard of hearing children not to sign. Very ironic!
Technology AND Sign language.
Medical advances AND Cultural awareness
** Let's educate the whole child and not just the aural/oral piece. -
- Myles
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:48:13
Eradication - noun - extermination, annihilation, elimination; see DESTRUCTION.
I am a person who is profoundly deaf. I am not a candidate for a cochlear implant nor for eradication. I cannot learn to hear. Signing is as much a part of my identity as voice is to the hearing. While I am certain Dr.Batten has made an invaluable contribution in his field. I think some sensitivity training would go a long way in dealing with professional arrogance.
Many people who are hearing and deaf have benefited from Sign Language. Two of my hearing grandchildren sign full sentences to me their grandfather who is deaf. We engage in conversation that they are unable to yet verbalize at their tender age.
Bonding
Communication
Amazing Sign Language! -
- Velma
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:47:41
HEre's the truth, Dr. Tony Batten is proven as an EUGENIST to people with hearing loss. By 2020, who will take care of those people with disabilities? Anyone could face unexpected accident or come home from war with severe hearing loss, who will take care of them? Guys, those commentors who are pro of eugenics then you are on the wrong turf because no one is going to take care of you as you age in ugly and ungraceful ways. We must end all of this, stop putting imposed goals on children who are forced to receive CI and to abolish their 1st Amendment, Right to Speech, American Sign Language!
-
- Deaf_Newfie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:47:27
Alisha Morrissey has brutally failed one of the codes of journalism by writing an one-sided story in order to glorify Dr. Batten who unsurprisingly reminds me of Alexander Graham Bell, a well-known eugenicist and cochlear implant for a few reasons. First, she failed to make this article well-balanced and unbiased. She did not bother to contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf (NLAD) and the Canadian Association of the Deaf whom she can contact for their positions and interviews on cochlear implants. For a matter of fact, the NLAD is one of the oldest disabled organizations in NL and and have represented the Deaf and hard of hearing people in NL for a long time. And, there are lack of information on the cons about cochlear implants; therefore, Ms. Morrisey purposely or not did not put in her article.
-
- Cindy
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:47:19
I was diagnosed with hereditary hearing loss at age 25. I sat in the ENT's chair, he looked in my ears, up my nose...wrote on a pad of paper handed it to me and told me to go next door to order a couple of hearing aids! I sat there looking rather stunned. I didn't understand what he was trying to tell me. When I asked him questions he got rather irritated and told me to get the hearing aids and everything would be fine. I had to do all the research and find out everything i needed to know on my own, alone.
A year later I decided to get a second opinion so I saw Dr. Batten, he spent a little more time with me but still didn't explain anything about my hereditary condition or caution me to have any future children checked for hearing loss. He told me i was not a candidate for cochlear implants and there was nothing he could do for me. I should see an audiologist every other year and wear my aids. That was it.
Did you know hearing loss is considered an aging problem and therefore is not covered by many insurance plans? Oh and you can claim the amount you spend on batteries on your income tax, just keep the receipts of course. -
- Chad
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:46:58
This article screams Audism .
I am not against cochlear implants and I know the pros and cons very well. Sometimes, CI works and other times, it doesn't. That is a fact and I have accepted that as a Deaf fella.
On behalf of all of our supporters here, I am speaking out to Robyn Carter, Melissa Chaikof, Bryant Melesko, Richard Rowhm and a few others who are on the same warship as they are, did you see what Mr. Batten say? Let me rephrase:
We don't have any children now going to the school for the deaf, Batten says, explaining that children who are born deaf have a good chance at hearing if they get an implant early in life.
The school for the deaf is being phased out, he says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society.
It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now.
All of the comments above are reasonable to discuss and undoubtfully that the article is nothing but a pathetic insult.
How can somebody determine that people with CI will definitely earn a better income and life? There are many non-Deaf people out there who don't have a motivation to be successful or interested to earn a higher education! Should hearing people get CI so they can have a better job? Better education?
I am Deaf and using hearing aid in ONE ear and using American Sign Language as my primary communication and I am successful as an engineer as well many other Deaf people that I know. I am heavily involved with hearing people on my job, no Deafies, and I communicate through sign language and it is up to them to follow and they have tremendous respects for my language. It is God Given Power Language. It will never die.
People in Newfoundland and Labrador who doesn't understand our WAY of life, God's Creations, are the reasons why so many dreams of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals are shattered because the government and lack of understanding deafness people refuse to let us to identify ourselves in public.
This is about IDENTITY and this is who we are!
WAKE UP PEOPLE!! GET OUT AND EXPLORE THE DEAFNESS!
Myrtle Barrett, you were my social worker at NSD, you were part of the NSD family. I am shocked to read what you have stated in the article. It is obviously that they were your opinion but it doesn't mean that they are true. You should have an understanding of a general term of Deafness, even as a social worker before you preach. Your opinion tells me that you don't understand Deafness and Identity. I will block your any general support to eradicates deafness in public. -
- Rhonda
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:46:41
Dr. Batten is a wonderful man, and is looking out for only the best interests of his patients. I'm sorry the previous poster felt pressured by his insistance to give his patients the best options to them.
Dr. Batten has been my doctor for a number of years now as I am affected by Heriditary hearling loss. My Uncle was that first patient he did the surgery on in 1999. This province should be so thankful ( as I am) to have such a wonderful specialist in this province. I Thank God every day for Dr. Batten and what he has done for my family, and for my hearing health. -
- Me in NL
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:46:29
USA from NEWFOUNDLAND, Sorry if you were offended but DR. Batten has helped so many people with this new technology which is amazing! I see every day a special person who has these implants and I must say they were the people who choose and it was never pressured on them. Change is always hard to accept even if it can improve ones future. Thanks to DR. Batten and his Staff Keep up the good work
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- Cydrina
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:46:12
In response to CHAD Greenham from Maryland, I TOTALLY AGREE with you. This article makes it sound like Deaf people are DUMB and that's NOT true.
I am not Deaf but have been involved with the Deaf community for years. I know a lot of very smart Deaf people. Being Deaf does not make someone stupid or unable to learn. Good for you in getting your BAC in engineering, Chad.
ASL is not dying out because the CI is not guaranteed to work for everyone regardless of the age. I have a friend whose son has one and it does NOT work. And he`s not the only one. So there will always be Deaf people and thus, ASL will always be needed for them to communicate. Unless they prefer to speak and lipread, but the majority of them dont! ASL is their means of communication and they are proud of it! And I think that is wonderful. -
- Gail
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:45
Your article is unbelievably ignorant and disrespectful. You do not know what you are saying.
I am Deaf mother of four deaf children and a grandmother of four grandchildren, and two of them are deaf. I am very proud.. We communicate in ASL. We are very well educated. Sign language is dying?? No it wont happen! Hearing people want to learn sign language, even more ironically, hearing parents wants ASL for their hearing babies. Yet professionals don't want deaf babies to learn sign language... and hearing babies are allowed? what are they thinking? this is really bizarre!
Deaf Culture is dying?? No, it wont happen either! never will be!
You are just one of few doctors who don't or WON'T bother to check out about our precious sign language or deaf culture is actually disrespecting us. Your words forever scarred for deaf community.
People who have CI will be always DEAF when they don't wear them during sleep, playing sports, having shower, etc.
Over six years, I work with families with deaf children, whether they have CI or not, I ENCOURAGE them to learn ASL. no matter what!
Last thing, I am thankful that I live in Ontario because there are better opportunities for deaf people here for education . Most of all, we are treated equally and receive respect.
Your article shows disrespect for deaf community. It is very sad indeed.. -
- Triffie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:35
It's grand that we have evolved so far in society that we can proudly announce that a culture/group will soon be eradicated . Such an inappropriate word in this case. Such a word has been used when medical community had almost wiped out(i.e.) Small Pox or the Bubonic plague. The use of eradicate is unbelievably insulting . No matter what medical advances are achieved there will always be Deaf people. As long as there is a human Deaf soul out there who wishes to communicate freely, there will be ASL. It is long past time Academia to see the Deaf from not only the medical model but a cultural model as a people. It is time for us not to be as judgemental to qualify the worth of culture/community because it arose from a disability as some had stated in this forum. Choosing to be deaf or having a CI is a very personal decision that individual and parents have to make. What they choose should not be the result of pressure or the politics of the era. Dr. Tony Batten has taken quite a beating here. I think that although I have no doubt he is a learned man, I pity him. He only understands the mechanics of deafness. He will probably never understand the joy the Deaf experience within their community. That is the world where they have a sense of belonging; they not damaged. A place where they choose to belong.
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- Sasha
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:17
I read this article...I cant believe that its seem very discrimination to Deaf people (called Audism), because what Dr. Batten said such as offend/rude words So sign language is a dying language. and It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now
Did this article not tell about CI risk/ cons? In fact the CI have increased RISK/ disadvantage. There has article about one girl aged 7 died from CI risk. See the website here:
http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/10891548/detail.html
And other websites about CI cons:
The United States Food and Drug Administration reports that cochlear implant recipients may be at higher risk for meningitis.[12] A study of 4,265 American children who received implants between 1997 and 2002 concluded that recipient children had a risk of pneumococcal meningitis more than 30 times greater than that for children in the general population.[13] A later, UK-based, study found that while the incidence of meningitis in implanted adults was significantly higher than the general population, the incidence in children was no different than the general population.[14]
By: cochlear implant. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 2008. Answers.com 29 Apr. 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/cochlear-implant
Risks
As with all operations, there are risks with this surgery. These include:
infection at the incision site
bleeding
complications related to anesthesia
transient dizziness
facial paralysis (rarely)
temporary taste disturbances
additional hearing loss
device failure
However, it should be noted that serious surgical complications have been observed at only one in 10,000 procedures of this type.
By: cochlear implant. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 29 Apr. 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/cochlear-implant -
- Cindy
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:02
Obviously this article is written from a clinical perspective and does not take into account the many social and emotional factors of being Deaf. The decision to have a child implanted should be very well thought out and parents should be fully exposed to the Deaf world and the hard of hearing world before making a decision. Sadly, when children are screened and a hearing loss is detected, they are almost exclusively exposed to the clinical perspective. It is important that parents themselves explore all perspectives before making a decision.
One fact that is not mentioned in the article that I consider important, is the medical ramification of having a cochlear implant. In order to implant the device, all usable hearing is permanently destroyed. They are making some gains in this area, but not fast enough. There are currently a number of research projects that look at developing drugs and proteins to regenerate the growth of hair cells in the ear. Also there is some research happening using stem cells to regenerate growth of hair cells in the ear. Ninety percent of people with a hearing loss have sensoneurial hearing loss. Simply put, the hair cells in the ear are damaged and unable to carry sound waves. If any of these research projects were ever to be successful, people who have had a CI would not be a candidate for this type of treatment. The research is in very early stages and it is not like we could expect any results in the next five years, but consider this scenario: A three year old child receives bi-lateral CI. All usable hearing in both ears is permanently gone. She spends the next seven years in extensive therapy, struggling to have speech and language levels at par with her peers. As it has already been pointed out, CI's do not restore perfect hearing. It is an upward battle to acquire grade level speech and language skills. Now she is 10 years old and a protein has been released that will fully regenerate the growth of hair cells in the ear. Natural hearing is possible. This 10 year old girl will never benefit from that. As a parent, how would you feel? As a young adult who has a CI, how would you feel?
For me personally, as a person with a profound hearing loss, I would love to have typical hearing. I could not risk the damage imposed by a CI, knowing that the future may hold a better solution.
Finally, hearing loss is personal. How a person chooses to accept their hearing loss is personal. There is no wrong answer. The important things are to have informed choices, to respect the choices people make, and to be respectful to a culture that embraces deafness and makes being Deaf something to be proud about. -
- Lindsey
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:48
Deaf people don't need pity, they aren't disabled, and they don't need to be fixed!
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- Chris
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:46
I am absolutely disgusted with Dr Batten's comment.
I am deaf, I earn decent income, and fit into society very well. I am an apprentice plumber who will be receiving journeyman ticket in 2010. I am involved in both deaf and hearing world, and I fit in both of them very well. Everywhere I go, and meet people, there are usually people who mentioned that they want to learn sign language so bad and how it should be second language instead of french. So Dr Batten's comment about sign language dying is nonense.
Dr. Batten, next time you do an article, do some research before you make yourself look like an idiot. -
- anonymous
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:31
Deafness isn't a disease, it's who they are! Listen the only Deaf people i know are the goverment because for every arguement our people put forth it always seems to fall on Deaf ears. So why not promote CI to them I really do think they might need it! Also Dr Batten should beware of what he is saying it's affecting alot of people. Sign language wouldn't be a dying language if they put interpeaters out in the classes with those student who do have CI along with those who don't. Sign Language is a lovely Language it can help the hearing as well. answer me this have any of you have a really bad ear infection or water build up and you couldn't ear anything for atleast 24 hours or more? If so if you've known Sign Language and everybody else did then you could still hear them because you'll be using Signs so don't tell me that Sign Language is a dying Language and is in our past, It can bennfit everyone!
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- Heather
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:25
Children with implants they get better incomes when they graduate,they get higher levels of learning,etc. Wow! That blows my mind how Dr.Batten belittle the deaf & hearing impaired,he just don't understand our way of life and to talk down to is beyond me.
I seen Dr.Batten last year. He told me that I'm the perfect person to get an implant, without so much checking me out. I told him I have to think it over because this is a very drastic step for me to take.He even asked me if would I be interested to go to University as a model so the students could learn a thing or two.I was filled with dismay and turn it down flat! I'm no genuine pig . Well all is said & done... he said he would get in touch with me to make an appt. for CI...GUESS WHAT! He never call!!!! Even he did I'm still not interersted.....SORRY!!!!!
I'm in my early 40's & have been hearing impaired all my life and wears a hearing aid and I have a good job working in a hotel and deals with my customers every day. So that goes to show anyone can do it
Cheers to Chad Greenham!!
I'm proud of who I am... -
- Robyn
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:22
The right answer for Edward Bragg's question, is... Go and get yourself evaluated in a Cochlear Implant Programme, and don't let anyone except a professional tell you whether you can or can't be helped.
Once again - many of these deaf people speaking out against cochlear implants are probably the people who wouldn't get one anyway based on their length of time they've been deaf, and lack of memory of hearing.
We all know that CI's work best for late deafened people, and for babies/children who are born deaf or go deaf suddenly. The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome.
As for risks - Any surgical procedure has a risk - but the outcome is so good, I can say it's truly worth it. I know - as I've had 3 implants now and if anything happened to my current one, I would go ahead and have another.
Silience is definitely NOT golden. -
- Robyn
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:43:49
This article screams AUDISM!!!!!
We live in a country that values equal opportunity regardless of sex, religion, race, etc.
Being Deaf is a WAY of life. Being Deaf does not make us suffer but being in this society does.
We are being vicitimized just like Native people were when white European people came and colonized them. We are being colonized and that has to stop! The only way it could stop is to change one's attitude and accept that being Deaf is not a disability - only living differently, yet, effectively. Once people understand us more, they will realize that we are as equal as others. We are human, period! -
- Jon Deer
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:43:33
First and for most, deafness in NOT a disability!!!!! It is a culture. If some doctor is trying to eradicate this supposed affliction be means of technology, then he needs to do more research on the Deaf community to realize that he attempting a cultural genocide.
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- Bryant
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:43:17
I'm sorry, but most of you are ignorant as to the way these cochlear implants work. They work on the electrical level instead of amplifying the sounds. That is why all the resistance exists. Get over it all of you, evolutionary technology allows for greater understanding and appreciation of new things to try!!
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- Andrea
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:43:11
Wow.. this article is mind-blowing and insulting at the same time. Before I type further, I'm Deaf, non-CI user, ASL user. ASL is American Sign Language, which is well known language among Deafs. I agree with Kristen on this article for only showing the pros for CI. Trust me, there's are some cons. Sadly, many doctors, like Dr. Batten, only show the pros to the public. I'm sure that all of you know that everything have pros and cons, since no one is perfect. Also, the public has the rights to know the cons. So the article won't mislead the public. I'm offended by this quote, The school for the deaf is being phased out, he says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. I don't realize that I'm idiot? And my income is that low? (Yes, I have a job that pays that well!!) And I can't intergrate into society? (sorry my family and my friends, I don't know that I am suppose to be loner.) Btw, that was sarcastic comment in case you can't tell. Yes, deafs do know how to be sarcastic. I know it's surprising that we are able to do this. I'm truly disappointed in this article, it only show one point of view, where is other view. I don't think it's anything wrong with being Deaf. It's nice to be different, not be exactly same of other people. Or this world will be a boring place. We have diversity in this world which is races, religions, backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, customs, disabilites, etc. If we eliminate all of those. It would be a dull place to live in. Echhh. Thanks.
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- maria
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:42:18
There have been studies of deaf people having this surgery later in life that cannot adapt to all of the sound and become very frustrated. Deaf people are like everyone else (i have 2 cousins who are deaf) and yes at time they speak very fast (ASL) and it is hard to understand them but when asked to slow down they are ver accomidating and understood. As i recall this surgery has been around for years and one of my cousin was not a candidate for this surgery, he is 30 years old now and unless drastic changes have been made there will alwasy be people who aren't good candidates for surgery. ASL as a dying language should be avoided at all costs since there will always be a need for interpreters for those not able to understand the language especially in the medical fields. The implant should always be a choice for those who feel it is the right thing for them and never be forced on anyone.
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- David
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:42:02
I am extremely concerned about his comment that is very inappropriate. I am now questioning his professionalism and his code of ethics for in my view, promoting audism and genocide against the humanity of Deaf people.
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- Mom with deaf daughter
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:41:51
I could not believe what I was reading this morning. ASL is a dying language and if you do not get an implant you will not get a good income and not be able to get higher levels of education.
As a hearing Mom of a deaf daughter , who is now in her mid-twenties, I'm upset.
First - the article is all one sided, my husband and I investigated the CI - we where told that it doesn't work for everyone, that what little hearing she did have, would more then likely be destroyed. There was a chance that it could paralysis her facial muscles on the side of the implant. I could not make that life altering decision for her therefore when she got older, we let her decide, she choose not to have the CI.
My daughter has 2 semester left at MUN and she will have her degree. She has been approached to do her Masters. Do you call this higher levels of education or not ????
Have you every watched the deaf use ASL?? It is a beautiful expressive language. It has structure and it own rules, it is the same as English, French or Spanish. In some universities in Canada it is recognized as a language o it's own and is taught as second language.
My last point is that I also have a hearing son, I worried more about his education in a hearing school due to the lack of resources then I ever did about my daughter's who attended NSD. I just hope and pray that the children who have been integrated into hearing schools will have the same access to a good education as they did at NSD. -
- RME
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:41:11
When the Deaf children are implanted with cochlear implants , they are still DEAF. That is why the deafness will NOT be eradicated. That is why Ms. Morrisey is one of the most uneducated and biased reporters that I have ever seen.
He says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. It is not true and he has not had any convincingly conclusive proof to back up this statement.
I graduated from NSD some years ago and I went to university. In the end, my yearly income is near six figures and I am doing well in real society. Some NSD graduates have become successful in various positions such as vice-principal, professor, software system developer, college teacher, computer programmers, teachers, and so on and for a fact their incomes are pretty solid. That is why Dr. Batten has used his unproven statement in order to mislead parents of Deaf children about their future on purpose. -
- Triffie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:44
I also take issue with the journalist, Alisha Morrisey. The bi-line alone makes me cringe. School for the Hearing Impaired could one day be out of business Where is this place? The School for the Deaf is on Topsail Rd. Don't believe me? Look it up in the phone Book! Google Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The School for the DEAF is under Student Support Services! Although I do not agree with the philosophy espoused by the article, I am outraged at the lack of journalistic research. I thought it was poorly written and surprised the telegram would print such a one sided article. I don't always agree with a writer's perspective but this was the news! By the way Alicia, School for the Deaf, soon to be closing it self is not news. It's history. As former Minister of Education Joan Burke stated in various forms of media August 2007 (including The Telegram) that the School for Deaf will die a natural death .
The fact that I think that will be a sad day is a topic for another day! -
- Nicole
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:25
I didn't feel pressured as you said. Just angry. All he did was say the good things about the implant, he never said any of the many things that could go wrong. I wouldn't have a problem with him if people were actually given both the pros and cons.
It's good that he has helped many, there's no doubt about that. It's great for the people that have the surgery and are happy!
But the same time, I'm actually a part of the Deaf community in NL, in Canada, in Washington DC (Where I attend the world's only Deaf university), and I've heard the bad things as well. Most only hear the good, and that doesn't always lead to the wise decisions. =)
I have too much to lose to get an implant, but if in the future I no longer benefit from hearing aids, that's when I'd get an implant. It's the only way I can connect to my family. Just putting that out there as well, so no one thinks I'm completely against it. I support informed decisions. -
- Ryan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:19
Only if he could see the beauty American Sign Language exudes. It is a culture of its own and thats that.
Sign Language will never die as long as humans thrive on this planet. It will continue to thrive for generations and generations to come. I personally am not too worried about the fact that cochlear implants may or may not eradicate Deafness.
I don't understand how parents of children with CI can live with themselves knowing they have violated the child's freedom of choice. Granted it may help them in the future but then they were intended to lose their hearings so that way they wouldn't hear the evil of the world. Im shaking my head at the fact that they think it is ethical to step in and make a drastic life that will have big ramifications on their future. They could also face the risk of death, injury, ostracization from both worlds (Deaf & Hearing) and so on forth.
I am a student at Gallaudet University and I come from Canada. After reading this article, I now turn my back on my own country because of this man. I am truly ashamed a Canadian man would make such explicit and brash comments about us Deaf people.
We are functional members of society so there isn't anything to worry about. We're able to have children, get professional jobs, PhD degrees and so on forth. -
- Beth
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:18
I think that NSD should stay open and turn into a ASL immersion school.This gives a chance for the deaf students and hearing students to intergrate and become aware of both worlds. Speaking from experience as a child who was taken out of NSD and put into a hearing school, I felt like I didn't belong to any world because I was no longer in touch with the deaf world and I didn't completely belong into the hearing world.
I was always told that I was a candidate for a cochlear implant and finally gave in 2 yrs ago. I hear just the same now as I could with my hearing aids. Only now I have to pay a lot of money for insurance that we don't have in Canada. Having an cochlear implant is very costly! -
- Felicia
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:15
Growing up Hard of Hearing and having received a Cochlear Implant myself due to personal reasons, I understand the debate about Cochlear Implants are a complicated one. I won't go into facts that could probably take a few chapters, since I have limited space here.
But, I will say this: there is in no way any justification for the way CI's are painted here. Anything in this life is half chance -anything. Just like glasses don't work the same way for everyone, CI's don't either. It is not magic. There is no manual that covers what to do if it is unsuccessful. Not everyone who has received a CI benefits from it. And for some of us who have gone through the process we can tell you it is not simply hearing one day. It is a process that can be long and ardous, and emotionally exhausting. It is far more complicated than simply eradicating hearing loss.
As for sign language being phased out and in the past I would like to point out that some of us who are Hard of Hearing with Cochlear Implants or without, still utilize the usage of Sign Language in our everyday lives. There does not have to be one way or the other. It is possible to have the best of all worlds.
I am in a world with sound, but I love the silence. I cherish every minute that I can spend in both worlds. And sometimes, there is nothing better than when I can have both of them meet.
But secretly, sometimes, I love being able to see the story, instead of trying to imagine it in my head -it never does it justice the way that ASL can. -
- Irritated bY Ignorance
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:03
correction that should read *geographical* not geological
Richard: it seems to me you are trying to provoke an intellecutal debate to prove your intelligence. Am I mistaken? -
- Deaf
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:02
I'm very speechless with the ignorant words that came out of Dr.Batten mouth. Alisha Morrissey and Dr.Batten SHOULD get their facts straight before you guys ever say anything stupid to the deaf community in whole. It is a very terrible article done by Morrissey. I don't need to go on and on with this because I already agree with most of the comments that were posted in here. DOWN WITH OPPRESSION AND AUDISM!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! DEAF CULTURE AND ASL WILL NEVER DIE!!
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- Gary
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:39:29
Its not so much that Dr Batten wants people to have cochlear implants that worries me, each to their own, its more how misleading his comments are.
Cochlear Implants do not make anyone hearing. Even with a cochlear implant they are still deaf. All a cochlear implant is in reality, is a high tech hearing aid. If the implant malfunctions, and they frequently do, then the recipent is still deaf, not that they were not in the first place.
People that receive cochlear implants also get verying benefits. Some get a lot, others less so. Some kids learn spoken English well, others less so. Some have excellent literacy while others show evidence of hearing problems in dropping the S of singular or plural words and in getting tenses wrong and so on.
Deaf culture aside, which I agree has been insulted by this article, this sort of misleading article is dangerous. It gives people false hope. It makes people think that with a cochlear implant deafness is a thing of the past. Clap trap as they say.
The Dr in question, and indeed the journalist, should hang their heads in shame. I suspect the Dr is only looking for a way to line his pockets, the journalist in writing something heartwarming and sensational. The damage the two of them can and have done with this wisshy washy nonsesne is immeasurable. -
- Tracey
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:39:29
My son Graham commented on this article earlier. I live in Paradise and he is going to school in Ontario. Why? We have been separated because of the lack of resources and teachers at NSD. They were unable to provide him with the necessary courses to graduate because of the constant cutbacks by govt. Our alternative was to put him in a hearing high school with an interpreter. He is a very bright deaf kid who will undoubtedly become a very successful deaf adult. I take offense to the tone of the article insinuating that deaf people need to be fixed in order to become productive members of society. The opportunities for Deaf people in NL are so limited that we lose many of our successful adults to the bigger centers. Graham is academically gifted and will probably find his niche in another province. With articles like this one I can hardly blame him.
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- Misha
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:39:08
Oh, by the way.....yes, I'm Deaf. No, I don't have C.I. I don't have any desire to acquire one for myself. I'm happy the way I am. That's that.
Misha -
- Luke
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:39:03
I'm a student at Gonzaga High School, and am enrolled in the American Sign Language course. Through this course we have learned so much about the Deaf Culture and how amazing it really is. Dr. Batten said it's a disability that it can be cured but that isn't true at all. So many Deaf individuals enjoy their lives and just have a different look on life it's not that it's a disability. These Deaf students have become great friends with so many of us at Gonzaga High School and people treat them the same as anyone else and don't believe they have to be hearing to be accepted into our school community. I think it's so insulting to hear the Deaf community being put down in this way. So many of these things stated above aren't true and a deaf person can be just as succesfull without getting a CI. So many Deaf individuals have gone on to pursue careers such as acting and engineering along with many others. People should be given the chance to decide what they want to do instead of forcing people into it like it seems Dr. Batten is doing. I think if he realized how beautiful sign language is and got a taste of Deaf Culture he would realize why people are proud to be Deaf and aren't interested in this surgery.
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- Jeff
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:38:51
It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now.
It's partly true because we can see that there is a general decline in the deaf (w/SL) population and who will preserve the deaf culture when they are gone? :-) -
- Edward
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:38:26
I am hearing impaired in my right ear and I have a hearing aid but I still cant understand what people are saying. they dont like when they have to repeat themselves. could I get help for my ear??
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- Northtrue
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:38:17
I read your article. Where is your proof of that Sign language is dying?
Sport referee use sign language to communicate that show what plenty.
Baby learn sign first then spoke lately.
So what your proof that ASL is dying by evidence research?
Your message hurt minority community and you are above of us! -
- Cookie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:37:36
Hi , i was reading this article and the comments that people made. I was very upset to read that this doctor said that sign language is a dying language. I know this is not true at all. People all over the world still use sign language and even hearing people use sign language to teach their child how to communicate even before they can talk. (In the case with julia roberts teaching her twins sign language)
Sign language is very important to deaf and hard of hearing people.. i'm deaf and i have a cochlear implant. Although my cochlear implant stopped working and i'm due to have another surgery.I'm very lucky i know sign language and that other people that i work with who are hearing use sign language., i can communicate with them. If i didn't have that it would have been really hard to understand anything.
I know alot of people don't agree with a cochlear implant but i like it alot and it helps me hear. I'm part of both worlds since i know sign language and i can talk pretty well. It's like people that have hearing aids to help them hear , just like cochlear implants help the ones that hearing aids don't work , help them hear. I can't wait to get my implant altho i know there are risks but i want to be able to hear my son. I'm teaching my son sign language because he can communicate with me before he learns to talk. I have friends that are deaf that use sign language plus in my work i need to know sign language to communicate with the deaf blind. There will always be sign language as long as there is deaf people in this world. I feel that sign language should come second instead of french... because french is a hard language to understand.
This person should learn to think before speaking and saying things to offend deaf and hard of hearing people. -
- Jay
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:37:35
CI doesn't solve everything. Although I never got the implant, I was mainstreamed at a very early age. I was subjected to ridicule, lonliness, isolation . . . you name it. For years I suffered identity crisis, depression, and suicidal tendecies. To this day I still feel like I am missing something in life. I have no sense of belonging to anyone. The hearing world, i.e. parents, teachers, government, should never have forced this upon us simply to make them happy. School for the Deaf, if all else, should serve as a social glue - a common bond to give meaning and identification for all deaf and hard of hearing persons. I find Dr. Batten comment very shallow and narrow minded. He doesn't realize the social ramification of how CI is slowly destroying the deaf culture and take away one sense of belonging.
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- Erika
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:37:26
First of all I am hard of hearing. I deal with both deaf individuals, hard of hearing individuals and hearing individuals on a regular basis. Reading this article I understand where Dr. Batten is comming from with respect to technology's ability to change people's lives and provide opportunities for people with a hearing loss. I do also understand where the anger is comming from with some of the comments that were made.
On thing that I would like to point out is that there supports for people with a hearing loss in general are lacking. The government has made very poor decisions regarding NSD that can not be undone. The education department has not been very proactive in making sure that hearing awareness and supports are in place in the school system for those (such as myself that were mainstreamed). Much work needs to be done in this area.
Finally I would like to say that while I understand how proud deaf people are of their culture, I don't understand the need to belittle those who choose to get a CI and experience sound. That is there right. Everyone has a right to their own choices, and that is something that has to be respected by everyone, hearing or deaf. -
- Irritated bi Ignorance in
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:37:15
Just some observations/comments I would like to make.
Alisha Morrissey: It looks like you opened a can of worms. I bet you were not prepared for this sort of a response, huh?
Dr. Batten: I believe if you took the time to read some of the responses from these highly intellectual individuals who are clearly educated, socialized and receive more than fair compensation for their hard work, you would agree that you owe them an apology.
For supporters of this article: If you took the time to read some of the responses given, you will see that these individuals are deeply offended by the off the cuff remark of how they are substandard members of society. (No one used the term substandard in the article or in some of the responses, but it is a term that I have heard often and I interpreted that thought to have been implied in the article and by some of your responses).
What is being mentioned is that they are contributing members to society whom are helping the economy get back onto track. Perhaps you should go back and take the time out of your busy schedule and fully read some of these responses. You may be surprised.
Richard Roehm from Irvine, California: I think that you too may benefit from sitting down and reading some of the responses from ALL of the individuals who took the time from their busy schedule. I have no doubt that you and your research team feel that you are doing really important work. However, if you perhaps set aside your scientific objectiveness and thought processes and see that D(d)eafness is not a flaw or an abnormality rather it is a rather oppressed community that is SO oppressed that people do not even realise the richness and contributions that it has to offer to society, then perhaps some of your great work can be put to use to eradicate ignorance, oppression and audism. Just a thought.
My first language was ASL, second language, English. I grew up in a community where D(d)eafness regardless or oral, hard-of-hearing, those who have CI or profoundly Deaf
are welcome. I still see evidence of this today in the very community I grew up in. Because of this community that some call subset it is there that I have learned to be welcoming of all walks of life. The Deaf community has no geological boundaries. This should have been clearly evident with the responses from individuals outside of Canada. -
- Bradley
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:36:10
I am not support Cochlear Implant because too many reason I against that issue.
The parents which they have hearing loss kids, you should think twice that American Sign Language is very huge benefit for the communication for bilingual language for ASL and English language. ASL can benefit to leading Deaf kids to education better also help them to fluent language. ASL is very powerful to Deaf kids.
I am not very happy with Government for their system to block our Deaf culture.
NSD is my real home, which I have cherish in my memories. I am glad I did graduated from NSD.
Cochlear Implant can serious cause them some headache in the future. People don't realize it is definitely evident.
I am so glad that I didn't get any CI because one of my doctor told my mom that device is very bad for me. Thank god.
You should think twice to ask Deaf people for their experience. I am not impress with that system.
I am very proud who I am. Deaf culture is very special in my life. People don't understand Deaf culture can lead a better life than CI itself.
It's AWFUL SYSTEM I EVER SEE. -
- Erika
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:35:41
Me again. I would also like to point out the difference between being hard of hearing and deaf. We are two completely seperate group with 2 completely seperate needs. People who identify themselves as hard of hearing (such as myself) use spoken lanuage as their primary methode of communication. Most wear hearing aids, but some don't depending on the severity. The hard of hearing rely heavily on technologies such as Real Time Captioning and FM system etc for commuication. We interact and socialize in the hearing world and I personally don't consider myself any different that a hearing person only I have certain needs.
The deaf people on the other hand, might wear hearing aids, but might not however their primary methode of communication is sign lanuage so they have a whole different set of needs.
Therefore while the hard of hearing and deaf people both have hearing loss they are two completly different worlds that generally don't identify with each other because of their different experiences and needs. -
- A Patient
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:35:23
I really think a lot of you are reading this the wrong way. Dr Batten is quoting statistics - he isn't making up this stuff about people with CI's getting higer paying jobs and higher learning. You can see any of that information on stats can, so unless you want to call them 'disgraceful' than I hardly see how Dr. Batten is.
And as for the NSD and Deaf Culture beinf eradicated we know that isn't going to happen. A CI obviously isn't right for everyone. What I think he's trying to say is that with advancing technology and the dept. of education realizing that integration of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students into the regular school system we're seeing less and less parents making the choice for their children to be segregated, and isn't this all about choosing what's best for the person?
I think a lot of these comments are taken horribly out of context, and knowing Dr. Batten I think this is more of a case of choppy quoting at best. I am hard of hearing and I don't find anything here horribly offensive at all! -
- Glenys
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:35:22
SHAME ON YOU! HOW DARE YOU! Who are you to say deaf culture, sign language is dying! Have you been to other parts of the world besides Newfoundland, take a good look around you, based on all of the comments you see, this proves you are wrong. You may be the only doctor that provides CI for people who have hearing loss but where are your ethics? Where is your neutrality? You of all people, should be neutral when discussing CI vs hearing aids. Get your facts straight before you preach!
The Telegram has failed to mention how Deaf Newfoundlanders had to go out of the country to be given the same opportunities that hearing people are given while living in anywhere in the world. Of course the numbers are declining, all because Newfoundland has failed their deaf citizens, failed them! Newfoundland School for the Deaf USED to be a wonderful school with wonderful staff, I say USED TO BE, as it is not the case anymore, as it is being degraded by idiotic people, like Dr Tony Batten himself!
How dare you say, for chances of better income, for intergration of society that CI would give to them! I am the proof that your statements are false! I myself started out at the Newfoundland School for the Deaf at the age of 4 and half years old, the staff saw that I could do much better and placed me in a mainstream program where eventually I was able to go to a public school, all without use of CI! I myself had to rely on use of my hearing aid and lip reading. I didnt have interpreters back them, but it is all because of NSD, and my family, the staff to get where I am today. As a deaf person, I decided I wanted to go back to the deaf world where I went to college, at RIT, Rochester NY and graduated with Bachelor's degree, shocking aint it!
I am proud of who I am, a very proud DEAF person, who is a part of society, had the best of both worlds, deaf and hearing. I use sign language to communicate with my husband, my hearing children and my friends, as well at my workplace. Shocking, I do work! I work in the state of New Hampshire, as a program coordinator for the only agency for the state of NH, for deaf and hard of hearing people that is run by deaf and hard of hearing people. That something that you wouldnt see in Newfoundland, all because Newfoundland has push their deaf people out of the province, out of the country to find better opportunities!
A motto I hold dear in my life, thanks to Charles Charlie Harkins, who gave me the button when I was 7 years old, A Deaf person can do anything except hear! I King Jordan. I will never forget what NSD and what my family has done for me, if it wasnt for them, I would not be where I am today! Cochelar Implant wouldnt have any input in that whatsoever!
Proud to be DEAF!
Glenys Crane-Emerson
Daughter of George and Gladys Crane,
Riverhead Newfoundland -
- Jessica
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:34:31
The Telegram failed to address the richness found in Deaf culture, which is shaped by the individual's experience with the Deaf world. This makes the Telegram newspaper an ignorant, and therefore irrelevant newspaper. It insults my intelligence that garbage like being Deaf should affect my ability to succeed how I choose in my life. I am just as happy being a low-paid cleaner as I am attending university. A Deaf person's ability to integrate into society is measured by their social relationships; I have met as many incredibly intelligent and competent Deaf people as I have met stupid and ignorant Deaf people. The disability is irrelevant.
I LOVE BEING DEAF AND WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING.
My world and my culture is the people I love, who are Deaf and Hearing. To me, there is no difference in the quality of love. -
- Elaine
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:34:25
I am deaf lady and born in Newfoundland for 30 years and now live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My life is great and feel natural human & beatiful sign language and CHERISH A.S.L (Americian Sign Language) to stay forever. The Deaf Culture is very important for their daily lives. I was shocked that Dr Batten trying ruin the Deaf Culture & community. He trying encourage to the children to have cochlear implants and will be suffer to grow up and who the parent control over children to have cochlear implants. The children are very innocent human and when they grow up and have made their right decision. I support for Deaf Community and cherish A.S.L (American Sign Language) and will not going die for future. It is very sad for the children have no power that the parent put their children's suffer.
-
- Gaelen
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:34:25
Who would want an antenna attached to their freaking skull for the rest of their living life? I would never be part of the hearing society if I had a CI because I wouldn't be able to pronounce words correctly or hearing the conversing partner would be difficult based on the level of my hearing.
I am hard of hearing in one ear, deaf the other, but I label myself as a Deaf individual because I integrated in to the culturally Deaf community at the age of 16. My parents asked me at a young age if I wanted a cochlear implant, to my decision, I obviously said NO; due to the fact I would only hear out of one side of my head and it is expensive, and I often would break it since I had a whacked out temper.
I grew up in the hearing society in elementary school, and those days were the worst in my life due to all kinds of bullying and discrimination from the students, and staff as well. I wouldn't see how getting a cochlear implant would benefit me to actually help me get friends, it would make matters worst because I would have an antenna attached to my head. I think a hearing aid took enough of my time already.
Spoken English was my first language growing up; ASL was my second, starting at age 16. And I think the best way to communicate in this world is through sign language because it expresses itself more then any other language through emotions, facial expressions and body language. Spoken languages only shows emotions (hence yelling or stuttering).
This is all I have to say for now, but if anyone other then Richard Roehm decides to be incompetent, they need to GROW UP! -
- Shery
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:34:18
According to the doctor assume that America sign language is dying, how come I noticed sign language is growing and more acceptable in public. Unfortunately, I think doctors only had seen oral people everyday. I assume that he wasn't exposed enough in other area in deaf culture.
I use ASL everywhere and people understood that I am deaf and use ASL as primary language. The doctor just is ignorant and see deaf as a disabled that need be fixed. Way doctor wrote about ASL is completely opposite what I see in public especially hearing people are taking ASL courses in college. I had acquired some people in stores knew very little bit about ASL. They were thrilled to communicate with me. It kinda made easier for me sometimes. For instance, I went to walmart and it was about to close. I had nowhere to make a call without a cell. I asked cashier to give me paper and pencil. She suddenly use sign language. So, I give all necessary information, I got a ride, and went home. It is a wonderful. Doctors should have do homework before making a judgment. He is plainly ignorant. -
- Nicole
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:34:11
Just visiting this again, and wanting to put this out there...
A language is considered dead when there are new things being created, and there is no word made to match.
Blackberry is a fairly new thing, so is the Sidekick. Both have signs.
There are other examples, but I don't need to go into it at length here.
sign language is NOT dying. -
- Jeff
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:33:52
Bradley is a classic example of an old deaf guard who opposes the changes in the future of deaf society.
I am profoundly deaf and I can see the benefits of having a cochlear implant. It gives the great majority of these babies their first awareness of the sounds of speech. They can learn to make sense of those sounds, and ultimately to understand and produce spoken language. -
- Andrea
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:33:26
Wow.. this article is mind-blowing and insulting at the same time. Before I type further, I'm Deaf, non-CI user, ASL user. ASL is American Sign Language, which is well known language among Deafs.
I agree with Kristen on this article for only showing the pros for CI. Trust me, there's are some cons. Sadly, many doctors, like Dr. Batten, only show the pros to the public. I'm sure that all of you know that everything have pros and cons, since no one is perfect. Also, the public has the rights to know the cons. So the article won't mislead the public.
I'm offended by this quote, The school for the deaf is being phased out, he says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. I don't realize that I'm idiot? And my income is that low? (Yes, I have a job!!) And I can't intergrate into society? (sorry my family and my friends, I don't know that I am suppose to be loner.) Btw, that was sarcastic comment in case you can't tell. Yes, deafs do know how to be sarcastic. I know it's surprising that we are able to do this.
I'm truly disappointed in this article, it only shows one point of view, where is other view?
I don't think it's anything wrong with being Deaf. It's nice to be different, not be exactly same of other people. Or this world will be a boring place. We have diversity in this world which is races, religions, backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, customs, disabilites, etc. If we eliminate all of those. It would be a dull place to live in. Echhh.
Thanks. -
- kimee
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:33:03
i believe that it is in a doctors best interest to give all the best possible options to a patient. even if it means a CI. But I do not agree with the eradication of deafness. I am studying to become an american sign language interpreter and alot of my close friends are deaf. i think its crazy talk when this article reads sign is a dying language. i love the deaf culture, i think its a beautiful language. i would not dedicate my life to learning the language if i did not think so.
-
- Deanna
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:33:02
...these exclusionary approaches violate a childs basic human and linguistic right and have been proven to be ineffective for the majority of Deaf children. Read more about oral, any of device assistance, etc below
You have to act now to protect any kind of Sign Language - do it now in Newfoundland
Read below for an example
www,dbcusa.org
Advocating for Bilingualism-Biculturalism
A Birthright of Every Deaf Infant and Child
We collectively call for an end to intolerance and exlusion of American Sign Language in a Deaf infant and child's life and education.
1. Whereas research has shown that children acquire a natural language, one that is fully accessible, and that exposure to the language needs to happen at an early age.
2. Whereas a fully accessible language means one that is easily perceived and expressed so that the child can acquire it without training. Deaf children are visual children. The primary channel for acquiring language fully and completely is through visual channels.
3. Whereas American Sign Language, ASL is a natural, visual language, which is acquired through natural interactions with others who use the language, and Deaf children acquire it in the same way that children around the globe acquire their native languages. All other methods and approaches that exclude the use of a natural visual language are artificial and inhumane.
4. Whereas exposure to this natural, accessible language is a human and linguistic right and must happen at an early age in order for the childs cognitive skills to develop.
5. Whereas the fluency of ASL has been shown to be the key to ASL and English (functional, critical, and cultural) Literacy for Deaf children and their overall academic development.
6. Whereas keeping a Deaf child away from sign language and Deaf people communicates a denial that the child is Deaf. This type of isolation from language, identity and culture has adverse affects on social and emotional development and self esteem.
7. Whereas many Deaf adults today intimately know the experiences of growing up without accessible language, without the ability to communicate smoothly with their families, and without being able to participate in social situations through oral/aural only methods.
8. Whereas there has been a second wave of Oralism (an oral-aural ONLY mandate) spreading across the U.S., which as been in practice since the Milan Congress of 1880 with an abysmally low rate of success. For Deaf children research and years of experience with oral/auditory only programming has shown that these exclusionary approaches violate a childs basic human and linguistic right and have been proven to be ineffective for the majority of Deaf children (Babbidge Congressional Report 65, Commission on Education of the Deaf Congressional Report 88).
9. Whereas bilingual-bicultural programs have never EXCLUDED English and there is ample research reporting their success. (Drs. Jim Cummins, Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Laura Petitto, Harlan Lane, Stephen Nover, et al.)
We resolve to advocate for the basic inalienable human right to a natural and fully accessible language to understand and be understood naturally to be a part of the Deaf infants and childs birthright. Be it further resolved, the EXCLUSION of a bilingual-bicultural approach to the Deaf child is no longer a tolerable option for civilized society.
Please sign your name to this PETITION to show your support for the Deaf childs right to ASL and English. -
- Megan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:32:51
No No No! all wrong!
-
- Melissa
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:32:26
Dr. Batten has the courage to speak the truth, and I applaud and thank him for that. I am the parent of two daughters with bilateral cochlear implants, now ages 22 and 14. Their implants in combination with Auditory-Verbal therapy have enabled them to be fully participating members of the hearing world. They communicate with ease using spoken language and do not need an interpreter. They hear so well that they use the phone with no problem and watch and understand movies and TV without captions. This is the wave of the future, and it's a growing wave. In my county, the spoken language programs are mushrooming in the schools, whereas the sign language programs are down to at most two children. The deaf culture is waning because over 90% of deaf babies are born to hearing parents who not only recognize the benefits of hearing and speaking but who also want their children to be a part of their family, their culture and their world, and the cochlear implant makes this possible.
-
- Rebekah
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:32:22
I am shocked that such an educated person as Dr. Batten could make such ignorant remarks regarding Deaf Culture and Sign Language. I grew up as a hearing child with a Deaf parent (CODA) and currently work for a Deaf Organization. I certainly don't feel that Sign Language hindered my growth in any way.
Sign Language is currently being utilized by many organizations/programs for hearing AND deaf children. Due to the fact that SIGN LANGUAGE has phenomenal benefits for both cultures. As Dr. Batten himself pointed out, Cochlear Implants are not for everyone depending on the type of hearing loss the person has. I agree with Ms. Connors stating the Pros and Cons should have been listed rather than belittling the Deaf Community. I am sure there are many CI success stories as well as many failures. Both topics should have been discussed.
In regards to the decline in numbers of Deaf students attending NSD, all the information was not provided. Part of that reason is due to integrating Deaf students into hearing schools.
So, my question to the Doctor is:
How do you Eradicate Deafness when Cochlear Implants don't work for everybody (young and old)? Your statement is contradicting. I feel an APOLOGY to the Deaf Community is in order here. -
- David
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:32:04
I am a student at Rochester Institute of Technology which is linked with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. I am a hearing student here, but I have been blessed with many deaf and hard of hearing friends. A warm and loving culture that accepted me and has allowed me to be a part of it.
I have friends who have a CI and those who strongly oppose it. There are definitly pros and cons on both sides, and it does take some getting use to, just like those trying hearing aids for the first time.
ASL is not a dying language, and the deaf culture is not a dying culture. More and more I see it in every major city i have traveled to. Every year I have more hearing friends who are embraced by our comon friends and are given the chance to join in with the deaf and hard of hearing (HH) community.
I think that even given the chance to hear, all people should learn ASL. It is a great helper in learning other languages, and it is a wonderful way to communicate. ASL taught at a young age has the possibility of helping kids be more expressive and to communicate better. It is a language on concept, and helps build an understanding of other languages. Also, what if something happens and the implant runs out of batteries, comes off, or any number of things? ASL should be learned regardless for those times that you really do need to communicate. -
- John
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:30:31
Dr. Batten is not GOD thinking he could remove Deaf Culture from the Earth.
Please read an important version Leviticus 19:14
in the bible book and prove that he is EXTREMELY agnorant
John Warren, Victim by AGB and AVT -
- USA
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:30:15
Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society.
WOW, what an insult!! Who do you think we are.. A lot of us have a decent jobs. How can you call yourself a CI Surgeon?
sign language is a dying language. Where have you been? Its one of the language now in the book just like French, Spanish, so go on. How could you say that to our faces?
I am so glad that I do not live in Newfoundland anymore becasue of this cramps. You guys pull the deaf people down. If i happened to be in Nfld, I will be coming to Janeway and find Dr Batten and i would have a serious word with him. You shouldnt be a doctor at all.
Dr. Batten, you are very disgusted, and you have no idea you have hurt our feeling. -
- Hedy
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:55
Dr. Batten has grown a big ego in his head because he is the only one who done CI surgeries in Canada. He makes $$$ off Deaf Children. He put them in a lot of dangers to face the world!
In addition, He is simply an ignorance! -
- John
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:45
I know sign language a little. My sister and her husband have profound hearing loss and are strong ASL users. They earn over 6 figures and I must admit that I'm jealous! In no way would I think anything differently of them if wearing a CI.
Parents are just confused. All doctors play like God . If I have a disabled child I would tell the doctors to get the hell out of my life. I search for informed choices and do what's the best for my child. -
- Ryan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:40
I'd like to interject another quick comment. I hope it will not get edited like my first one did. br br So sign language is a dying language. It's only for the older people who are beyond the cochlear implant years now. br br It's interesting because it's a dying culture and it's kind of part of our past now. br br I couldn't help but to drop and roll on the floor laughing. I cannot imagine that happening anytime soon. As long as humans thrive on the planet there will always and always be Deaf people no matter what. br br The greatest irony that could ever bestow Dr. Batten is if he had a child who was born Deaf and didn't qualify to get a cochlear implant. br
-
- Anthony
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:26
Dr Tony Batten... If he has his own son/daughter or grandchildren, I wonder he would add cochlear implant for his own family member.
If I see his own supportive for his own family membership, I will not talk or see him because he does not support American Sign Language.
ASL's site is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Sign_Language -
- Kent
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:59
I am hearing, and thus have limited insight into this topic. That doesn't stop me from being disturbed by the insensitivity displayed by Dr Batten's comments in this article. I am sure he is very knowledgeable in his medical field of specialty, however, we are all familiar with being book smart vs people smart . It seems to me that to truly represent deaf interests he needs to better understand their group (and individual) struggles, opinions and culture. It is obvious he requires some reflection on this issue or he would not have made such general and condescending remarks. He mistakenly links the improving technology of CI's with decreasing enrollment in the School for the Deaf in NL. Decreasing enrollment has to do almost entirely with a rollback in Government services to the deaf and forced integration into the public school system, not a dying culture or a dying language. I don't think it's appropriate for a physician to portray his clients as broken or in need of repair, and who, without his intervention would be doomed to a life of less satisfaction, less income, and less value to society. Whether it was his intention or not, I find the overall tone of the article to be condescending and perpetuating of a stereotype I thought was long gone.
Having said all that, I am also less than impressed with the Telegram for having written what appears to be to be a poorly researched article. The quotes from the Education Minister are misleading. I would like to see the Telegram further research this topic and provide a more balanced and fact based report on the erosion of services being offered to the deaf community. -
- Sherry
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:59
I am a parent of a twin, one with a mild hearing loss (not enough for aids) and the other with a severe to profound loss and wears hearing aids in both ears. The hearing loss was discovered thru an ABR test at the age of 2. To witness the first reaction when those aids were placed in my sons ears is a memory I'll treasure forever. As a parent and speaking from my own personal view I can't imagine not giving him a chance at hearing if the opportunity was there. The cochlear implant wouldn't have worked with the type of loss he has.
Dr. Batten is our ENT and takes the time to make sure you understand everything your going thru. I've never felt pressured by him and enjoy our many visits. Like Maggie said, he is a wonderful person and a very caring doctor.
My child attended the School for the Deaf for many years and at the time that was what he needed. Within the past couple years he was mainstreamed to a hearing school (our choice) and is doing fabulous. It's opened up many opportunities for him and he has grown and blossomed so much its overwhelming. Sign language will always be apart of him and our family. It's who he is as a person and nobody can take that away from him. Deaf culture is something you don't choose, its who you are. Every situation, every person is different. What works for some may not work for others so I only speak from my own personal experience. -
- Misha
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:59
This article disgusted me!
ASL is not dying language, for chrissake! What about other deaf children without C.I. for some reason? Deaf Schools should remain for the Deaf children who couldn't or wouldn't get C.I. so they can thrive in education as long as ASL is involved.
As for C.I. children being in public schools, would they function well without ASL and no social life ? I don't think so. Without C.I. they are still Deaf, period. How could they communicate when C.I. breaks down or malfunction? Come on....use your common sense. The children (both hearing and deaf) acquire ASL from birth to 3 years old would pick up more vocabularies than you could ever imagine before they learn how to talk in full sentences. I've seen hearing parents teaching their hearing babies ASL in order to prevent misunderstood among them. That really works. But AVT prevents Deaf and C.I. children from acquiring the true language to ensure the smooth communication.
Obviously you haven't done your homework nor study on how ASL impacts on Deaf and C.I. children....even on hearing children as well.
Still, this article and Dr. Batten is very disgusting.
Misha -
- Gham
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:56
A. Morrissey, do yourself a favor by changing your career field. Judging by your article, you are not cut out to be the next Gerald Clark or any good journalist for that matter.
However, if you do really want to be a journalist, stop slacking and do more research next time and interview in person, not in email from your chair in your office (or cubicle). You know? See the world more. You will find out more cool things to write about that way.
Interestingly enough, according to Terms of Use, specifically, 7.1.2, it says it should not incite hatred and personal threats? Guess what, buddy? You just did with this article. -
- Proud to be Deaf
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:41
Hello,
I am a Deaf student at Gallaudet University. I want people to understand that cochlear implants are to be used as a tool for living NOT as a cure for deafness. Once a person is a deaf, person will always deaf. Beside, cochlear implant destroys the inside of the ear, leaving person unable to hear at all without cochlear implant. I encourage qualified clients to get cochlear implants, but unqualified clients should not get it. I have deaf friends who have cochlear implants because they are qualified and able to speak well, ended up being able to use the cochlear implant well. I myself, however, have no patience with speech therapy, am terrible at lipreading, have poor hearing, and could not speak as well as hearing people despite the fact that I do have an excellent speech therapist. Hence, I am NOT qualified for cochlear implants and I know that if I do get it, the result would be a disaster. I would have no language because I cannot access to spoken language and would be told to not learn ASL. Fortunately I have ASL as my first language so because I cannot use speech/speak to communicate, I have ASL and written English to communicate. As you can see, I can write very well; this is a result of bilingualism education (ASL and written English).
Let me tell you something, I am against people who oppress ASL, the language of the Deaf, and hearing as well. (My hearing younger brother's first language was ASL and grew up in bilingual home, with both ASL and English, and is very very genius person nowadays)
I support choice. All deaf people should have the choice of having cochlear implants or not, of learning ASL or not. I was given the choice by my hearing parents (who by the way are Canadians) and I am doing very well nowadays, very successful in my areas of study. I am a very happy well-being person with high esteem, thanks to my parents giving me choices not forcing me to do a method. They accept me for who I am- a Deaf daughter.
If you have to make decision of whether to give your deaf child a cochlear implants or not, please do take a time to visit deaf schools AND oralism schools. Please do a lot of balanced research! Gallaudet University is a wonderful place to begin with and we will give you the honest truth, unlike the doctors whom pockets are lined with wads of money given from the cochlear implant companies in order for them to have as much cochlear implants being sold. Sadly, most doctors and Cochlear Implants companies are all about money, not really considering the unique individual needs of your deaf children.
Please do a lot of balanced research! Your deaf children will thank you for this someday. I did- I thank my parents endlessly. :) -
- Graham
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:31
To start this off, I'm deaf and have a CI, but it has been not successful, mostly because I did not like how the verbal training was carried out and rebelled against it.
Anyway, note that CIs does not always work; it's not the silver bullet.
I'm currently attending Ernest Charles Drury School for the Deaf, because NSD does not work for me (it's a failure because of its innate inability to provide courses to students, due to lack of teachers bah bah)
Finally, I dislike how this article treats deafness as a disease that can be 'cured.' We can live with it, and deaf people still can succeed, even without the ability to hear. -
- Vincent
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:29
I still cannot believe that the newspaper editor allow that article be printed. Its not so ethically as the journalism would practise. That would be challenged by UN Charters on the ground of cultural genocide, and numerous researches by pretigious universities to support ASL as genuine language. I am simply stunned and disgusted that there is so much effort to erdicate Deaf Culture. What's so bad or ugly about Deaf Culture & Community. Frankly I am not too impressed with the editorial board.
-
- Tom
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:12
I'm normally a person is hard to offend, but this somehow manages to do it. This is full of crap and bias that I don't know where I can start and I'm not going to bother as this is not just worth my time. It's even worse than yahoo.com news articles. It does take the cake indeed.
Telegram editors, I thought you are better than letting this article through. Also, the author deserves to be reprimanded, suspended or fired. (Note: Use the classic recession excuse to fire him) -
- TIffany Butt
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:00
I can't believe the quoted comments made by Dr, Batten. It is very sad to hear a person in such a social respectfull position to talk down to deaf culture and deaf people.
I do agree that if a child is born deaf or becomes deaf early in childhood, to be given the opportunity to have the cochlear implant.
However, some of the comments made by Dr. Batten has damaged the deaf culture of St. John's in such a way, it is hard to reverse. Thousands of people read these articles and thousands of people with no concieve opinions of deaf culture, now see it as a DYING culture! YOU Dr. Batten have made a mistake. It is not a dying culture. Unfortunately there is just people like you who try to suffocate it without knowing or living the culture yourself, making it difficult for deaf people to live a reasonable life without the struggles of people who just do not understand or are ignorant to this culture.
Tiffany -
- J
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:27:21
There is nothing wrong with being deaf, there are plenty of deaf people around the world who are successful. My sister didn't get the implant because she is a strong deaf person and believes that there is nothing wrong with her just the way she is, as do I. I cant believe that the telegram would publish such a bias article. I would expect to see a response in the following papers to the effects of how the implant would be bad for you as to show both sides of this story.
This is disgraceful...... from a hearing reader ... -
- Nicole MArsh
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:48
Erika, I understand where you come from with this, but I don't think the lines are as clear as you make them sound. =)
I'm hard of hearing, use hearing aids, only sign when there are Deaf people around. I depend on interpreters, as much as real time captioning. One of my favorite sayings, that a professor here at Gallaudet told me in August... there are many ways to be Deaf. Hard of Hearing people have varying needs amongst themselves, as do the Deaf people. It's hard to draw the line when there's so much overlap. We're all in it together though.
I find that most Deaf people I talk to do not belittle those that have Cochlear Implants, but question what lead them to arrive at the decision to be implanted. Maybe a doctor's one sided (and sometimes misleading) opinion? Maybe the desire to hear and use the implant as a tool? Maybe they decide hearing aids don't sound right and want a new way of hearing.
Most that I talk to do not have much against the CI itself, but the negative attitudes that go along with it.
Media oppression has to end. Yes, I understand they've tried to keep it neutral by interviewing someone from both sides... but I do not agree with having Myrtle Barrett represent the Deaf people. She's a very kind woman, but she doesn't exactly have the Deaf culture awareness that the fully Deaf have.
Newfoundland lacks a lot for both the Hard of Hearing AND the Deaf. I'm pretty certain while the two groups have their differences, this is something we can agree on, and work together in.
Maybe the Hard of Hearing group won't feel the need for interpreters, and the Deaf won't feel the need for FM systems, but each of us understand the inequality and can work together to change that.
Our time is NOW. -
- Andrea
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:37
We are the parents of child with bilateral Cochlear Implants performed by Dr. Batten. Our 21 month old daughter became profoundly deaf in 2007 as a result of Meningitis. She will be 4 years next week and has a very large vocabulary, thanks to Dr. Batten and the Audiology team at the Janeway. We are so glad we gave her the chance to hear again.
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- Kari
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:29
Wow, I couldn't believe this article. I'm a hard of hearing individual, wore hearing aids all my life, and eventually got a CI at the age of 26. I love my CI, but I love my deaf culture even more! I never interacted with another deaf person before until the age of 26 as well... and I love all my deaf friends, and I love ASL. A dying language indeed... it's alive. Maybe more alive today than ever before.. Hearing people just don't take notice...
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- Susan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:04
God created people
God created Deaf people - there will always be sign language as long as there are Deaf people on Earth
you are not stepping out of the world of sound to see our culture and language from our eyes and experiences - who says that we must have sound and speech to be considered normal ?
as long as a culture is there, language is always there - language and culture can not be apart.
William Stokoe Jr published linguistics of ASL (American Sign Language) to show that ASL is indeed a language with its own rules and structures.
We have jokes, stories & ASL poetry. We play with the language - like non-Deaf do with words.
People who do not want to learn that we are a group of people with our own signed language and Deaf culture. They are ignorant, just like Dr Batten
I am not against cochlear implant. What am I against? a Deaf child with cochlear implant being prohibited from learning sign language - look at non-Deaf babies learning sign language - find out why sign language is beneficial - is it fair for Deaf cochlear implanted babies not having the benefit to learn sign language
There are Deaf people who spent years on using speech only and switched to sign language. They wished they learned sign language earlier.
Why not let the child decide for him/herself if s/he wants to continue being bilingual? It's like being immersed in French.
Ignorant people does not really REALIZE that we do have our own LANGUAGE and CULTURE - and we are DAM* PROUD - what is wrong being Deaf? Do not assume that we consider ourselves disabled . We, culturally Deaf, do not label ourselves Deaf
Who is making us disabled? The system is.
Deaf people EVEN meet on international levels in sports and politics . Sign language is NOT universal - how do we communicate? In INTERNATIONAL sign language! We are able to meet people from different countries - often, we don't know each other' signed language but still we communicate in INTERNATIONAL sign language!
When non-Deaf people from different countries and know their own language only meet at an event - how will they communicate with each other? will they be holding dictionaries? or paying for their own human interpreter?
DAM* proud to be Deaf and proud to be born in St. John's NOT! -
- Deaf
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:25:37
This is one of the most sickening piece of article that I ever read in my whole life! You are a huge disgrace to our community trying to destroy our culture! You should do research before you open your mouth the next time Dr.Batten. Some of the things you said is load of crap. I dare you to say that to an audience of all deaf people the next time and see what you would get. ugghhh.. I can't actually believe he got the guts to said these thing and insult the deaf community. It seems like you care more about the money than anything else. Dr.Batten, you better apologized to the deaf community because your words were very insulting, disgusting, and ignorant. I believe you do owe us one after what you said!
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- Shelly
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:24:52
This man needs is disgusting and extremely disrespectful!
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- Ashley
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:24:41
I am a grade eleven student at Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton, Ontario. I was born and raised in Deaf enviroment fully since my parents are Deaf themselves too. I went to both Deaf and mainstreamed schools since I was Kindergarten. I can honestly say that Deaf school help us, the Deaf students tremondously becuase we face less discrimation and criticisms from adults regarding the fact we are Deaf.
I caused a lot of trouble in mainstreamed school because I hated their philosophy about educating Deaf students. I rebelled against them and skipped school a lot (in one school year, I would skip about a total of three months). I got below than average marks but when I entered Deaf high school. I was back home. I felt same and free in Deaf environment. Why? Because they are Deaf and I am Deaf too. We are same and we share the same history, culture, literature, and pride. My marks in Deaf school contrasted sharply with the ones I got in mainstreamed school. I was and still am a straight-A student, a honor roll student. I've been taking several courses from mainstreamed school while being in Deaf school. I'm doing very well now.
My parents were raised in oral enviroment at Ontario School for the Deaf Belleville (now Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf). They didn't recieve great education because they couldn't communicate despite trying and learning how to speak for 15 years. They never wanted me to go through what they experienced. They decided against CI and they made sure I was in a bilingual bicultural education program. I was equal with my parents' education when I was in grade four and by the time I was in grade seven, I exceeded theirs. Since that, my parents have relied on me to help and edit their written English.
When I graduate, I plan to be majoring in a medical or science field.
This proves everything that CI doesn't help Deaf people live better lives as fake hearing people. I've known several people with CI around my age who doesn't use ASL and I am sad to say that I couldn't communicate with them because they know no language. They cannot sign or write. How in the world could they live if they don't even know how to read or write English?
Try telling me, a 100% Deaf person, that CI will help Deaf people succeed in their lives if I am everything that contrasts with your theory.
I'm saying that what you said is a theory because it is not a proven fact.
My suggestion: Take on a wider perspective and act less biased because you cannot force a black person to act as a white person. It's same thing with Deaf people. -
- Anthony
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:24:36
Not for me. I am happy who I am deaf right now. :) Deaf Power and ASL (American Sign Language) are our culture how Dr. Tony Batten has no heart to deaf culture.
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- Lisa
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:24:08
I have been profoundly deaf since I was three years old. I am fully oral and uses sign language. I went to deaf program in Rochester from Kindergarten to 4th grade. Then I decided to move back to Livonia where I grew up and closer to home. I entered Livonia Central school at 5th grade and graduated the top third of my senior classmates in 2000. I was mainstreamed with full time interpreter & full time teacher of the deaf/note taker. I am also Rochester Institute of Technology graduate of 2005.
I had made my own decisions of where I wanted to go to school at age of 12 and both of my parents stood by me. My parents knew I would overcome so many obstacles at school but made it through fighting with teachers that they thought I wasn't going to make it to 12th grade. Sure enough, I proved them that I was gonna make it to graduation and I am no different from anyone else. Of course it was a wake up call to all of them believing that I was the only deaf student with positive, quiet inspiration in everything I could do just like any hearing kids. Every teachers and staffs were so amazed and thought to themselves This girl is really tough and she did it herself!
I find myself really proud of who I am and where I come from and have great education with both degrees.
Im not discussing the pros and cons of the cochlear Implant. I understand how the deaf people community feels so hurt by what Dr Batten says Sign language is a dying language. Dr Batten is extremely wrong to use his words about deaf people and culture. People have difficulty of understanding about deaf culture and ASL language. I feel strongly that Dr Batten should have understand about deaf culture first before he discusses it in his Article.
Hope it will be a wake up call and be respectful to deaf people and stop looking down at them like if they were inferior. My recommendation for Dr Batten is that he should have wrote a huge apology to the deaf community before it gets worse! We deaf people do not have a disease. I dont believe sign language will die!! -
- Sheldon
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:57
Mr Batten said that who had deaf child become hearing implant , and that his said nice point about it but ( one reason way Mr Batten said that sign language is dying) that no reason,, he is wrong , because sign language is good way for help to people make sure understand whatever want. Also most people do popular that sign language!! , because sign language is soo friendly.. and mmost hearing people told me that sign language is soo amazing and wow cant believe , because that part of make them so proud that new learn world.. deaf and hearing are same way when sign language and talk are same but hear loss have cant hear good talk..
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- Denika
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:40
For those who have referred to Deafness as being a deficiency , clearly you have never been in the company of Deaf people or been exposed to their culture. Individuals should read up on the history of American Sign Language to see how far it has come, to see how it has freed hundreds of Deaf people who finally found THEIR voice.....through the use of sign. To think for one minute that Deaf people cannot function in the hearing world is totally absurd. By doing a bit of research on the contributions to society of the Deaf community, you'll soon see that these people do not need fixing.
I'm not saying I am against CI, not at all, it IS for some people. But it is outrageous for anyone to say some of the things has been said regarding Deaf people and Sign Language.
Just this past August, the Newfoundland Association of Visual Language Interpreters hosted a conference here in St. John's, in which 250 participants from multiple countries came to network and engage in professional development sessions, ALL of which point to a thriving Deaf community and sign language. -
- Anna
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:31
The answer to Edward Bragg's question is no, because they won't even do a cochlear implant if you are able to hear with a hearing aid. Therefore deafness is not being eradicated, and sign language is NOT a dying lanugage. I am a teacher and I can tell you that the reasons for the low numbers of students at the School for the Deaf have to do with an increasing emphasis on reintegration into the regular school system (With a sign language interpreter, of course !!).
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- Brad
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:21
I am a profoundly deaf 28-year-old accountant. I am very proud to say that I am a NSD alumni. It is really sad to see it closing. American Sign Language is a dying language?? Ha Ha, I find this very hilarious.
My parents admitted to me that they would get me implanted in a heartbeat if it was an option in 1981. When the mass-implanting began in the 1990s, I actually thought we were witnessing the end of Deaf culture but 10-15 years later, the Deaf culture is still thriving despite the technological advances of C.I. and the closures of schools for the Deaf. It shows how resilient we are. We wont back down at all.
Please dont think that C.I. is the cure for deafness. People with C.I. have to use extra caution when playing sports or doing physical labour. Surgery could go horribly wrong. People with C.I., who never learned sign language, look like deer in the headlight when their battery died down. Poor them!
I feel really bad for those kids who are not qualified for cochlear implants. They will face hardships on a daily basis if they stay in Newfoundland. I now understand WHY deaf children always eagerly look forward to Deaf camps every summer, where they can freely use sign language. Many deaf children today only see their deaf friends once a year!
After graduating from Newfoundland School for the Deaf, I went to the United States to receive my post-secondary education because Canada has the lack of services for the Deaf. If parents want their deaf children to be treated with dignity and respect, I strongly urge them to move out of Newfoundland and Labrador. -
- Graham
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:09
I don't think ASL or a lot of other sign languages (yes, there are a lot of sign languages, go look it up) are actually dying.
There are plenty of ASL users in North America, in millions, and there are a lot of other languages with a lot less users that are still 'alive' up to this day. Most importantly, IT IS NOT BEING ONLY USED BY OLD PEOPLE. WHERE YOU DID GET THIS BULL FROM?
Lastly, judging by blatant (likely subtle to everyone who does not really know anything about the subject covered here) bias in this article, I'm willing to go as far as accusing the author of this article failure to follow the rule of objectivity, a key rule of professional journalism. -
- mike
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:22:58
Very disappointed you assumed all of these rumors about being deaf are true. Let me tell you something, I have a cochlear implant and my daughter does also. IT DOES NOT mean this Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society. We will still face discrimination no matter what!
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- D
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:22:35
Dr. Batten Im sure is well trained and great at what he does. However, he should probably learn to think before he speaks. The Telegram should have also thought before posting such an oppressing article. There are usually at least 2 sides to every story and often more. Implants may be beneficial for some, but to Eradicate Deafness?! Its not a contagious disease. Not everything needs to be FIXED. If the Good Lord intended for all to be hearing, straight with blonde hair and blue eyes, he would have made us that way. As for the closure for the school for the Deaf, the kids are being forced out and new students are being turned away. What about the upcoming children? What happens to them? There are already plans to make NSD into a high school once the Paradise kids get situated. Somebody should be checking into all of this, were all supposed to be humans with Equal Rights!
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- Anthony
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:22:14
I never forget what I was volunteer with deaf day program in Ottawa.
I was involved to play with deaf children at Deaf Centre. I saw little boy with Cochlear Implant that he was around 6 years old. He loved to go for swimming till he got infection. -
- Rob
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:21:42
The doctor may be a good technician but is daft in the art of tolerance and sensitivity.
Deaf culture is legitimate and signa language a work of art; whose not struck by the grace of the hand movements
another -ism on the rise. -
- Laurie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:21:23
My daughter is deaf and is one of the many for whom the implant has not worked. She has had it since she was two years old. While I am glad we were able to get it for her in one sense - she will know we tried - I'm sorry I wasn't more informed when we made the decision. Often parents who decide for their children do so because they simply don't know any deaf adults-role models, have only the doctor's pathological view of deafness upon which to base their decision. Doctors believe, as does this surgeon, that deafness is a disease that needs to be cured. We have come to believe that our bright, capable, outgoing daughter is not disabled at all, but rather part of a language minority, able to one day be anything and do anything she desires. The implant does not cure deafness, it will not eradicate it. It is a wonderful tool when it works as intended. But ASL has been here for a long time and will endure, as will the culture. It's a shame some of these doctors don't actually have a clue about the people or cultures they serve. If they worked with the Deaf, they would provide such a service to hearing parents of deaf children, instead of adding to the confusion.
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- Kirsten
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:46
As a hard of hearing student at NSD, I feel obligated to respond to this article due to it's lack of insight.
While, I think it's great that people have the opportunity of taking the risk of getting a CI, this article portrays the situation in the wrong way.
The public has the right to know ALL the facts. The pros AND cons should have been stated, otherwise this is the manipulation by the media.
But what really got me writing this is the statements about deaf culture and our school.
The doctor is in no position to make invalid insults at the deaf community. It only makes him look unprofessional to the people who know the difference.
Also, the school's closure has been planned for several years, and was not based on the introduction of CI in 1999. The real problem is the parents integrating their children into regular schools either by choice or by coercion by the Dept. of Education.
While I am forced to go to Gonzaga High next year in order to graduate, NSD will always be my school and it will live on through the deaf and hard of hearing people for many years to come. It is unfortunate that hundreds of children haven't had the opportunity to experience what I have experienced.
Minister King must be getting his facts from the previous Minister Joan Burke. She seemed very uniformed regarding deaf education and deaf culture. Her comments were also insulting and manipulative. Let's hope this Minister does his homework and gets the real facts straight before speaking to the public about the future of the deaf and hard of hearing education.
Kirsten Connors -
- Gregory
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:36
I am very disapointed with Dr. Tony Batten.
I am deaf in Newfoundland School for The Deaf and I am in grade 7. I also have several deaf family members.
Anyways Dr.Batten talked about eradicating deafness but it's not even true!!! -
- Zan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:34
I am disgusted that someone who has a great education (he is a doctor) and a better income would be so ignorant and uneducated to comment as he does without experiencing Deaf culture and the Deaf world as Deaf people do. Should all people who wear glasses have laser surgery because they have problems seeing? No.. it is not right for everyone and neither are CI! So why push the CI onto people who may not want it. Perhaps the great doctor's income is not as great as he wishes and this is a way to make more money. Regardless, I cannot believe someone who should have a great education is not really educated about anything! I have experienced Deaf Culture first hand, and I think Mr. Batten needs to open his eyes, not his ears!
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- Laura
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:12
Could some explain the CONS to this implant and why people are against it? I don't doubt that american sign language is a benefit to have and those who need it should beunderstood.. as well as their needs understood.
I am not informed whatsoever on those hearing impaired but wouldn't an implant which provides hearing all and all be a benefit regardless of cons due to the fact that it brings about safety for those hearing impaired???
Just wondering... not really sure.. -
- Ruth
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:10
I am DEAF and I am very proud for who I am. That is an insult for Dr. Batten's remarks about our DEAF Cultures. He is discriminating of our sign languages and this is our language. He is radical... Must show some respects toward DEAF. I respect french languages, I live in Quebec and we treated well in our DEAF communites (Both ASL and LSQ). I am from Newfoundland.. This is disgusting!!!
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- Richard
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:05
Now we see through the comments here that the culturally deaf people bully people who believe in advancing the deaf community with the civilization.
The culturally deaf people needs to end their 129 year grudge against the hearing people, the CI deaf, the oral deaf, and the medical industry.
If the culturally deaf so wish to be embraced by society, they have to start embracing themselves and not pick fights over how they should live and communicate.
In other words;
They need to grow up!
Richard -
- Daniel
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:19:19
*ahem*
Yes I am American and I happen to have MANY friends who are coming from Canada, and few of them are Newfoundland(ians). I love them all, and this article really insult and shock me. I'm not sure where to start.
I'll start here... First of all let me explain little bit about myself... I am PROUD Deaf young man... I am coming from 4th Generation Deaf family, and there are 30 Deaf members in my family... I expect to continue my Deaf Generation... ASL is BEAUTIFUL language, and there are a lot of things that English cant interpret or has no meaning for ASL because it's ADVANCED language... Go and research my people... I'm making decent income enough to support myself... Only if i make little bit more income, and I definitely will invest it in HI (Hand Implants) for those people like Mr. Batten... So they can sign :)
Gallaudet University (The only and one Deaf University in world) is a AMAZING place to be! Everyone went there, and will be amazed! Even if Mr. Batten goes to Gallaudet University, and I promise you all he will drop his medicine practice, and rally along with Deaf people In case you are wondering where the heck is Gallaudet University? Its in Washington, D.C. please take a moment and visit the website at the end of this comment. It explains what it has to offer, and how it prepares Deaf people for beyond colelge I knew many Deaf people who graduated from Gallaudet University and they end up became Doctor, Lawyer, and even Judge
People like Mr. Batten may want to eradicated Deaf like some kind of virus or disease... News flash smarty pants... People before you did try that... We are still around... In ancient time people like Mr. Batten would do much worst method of eradicating Deaf people... Million of Deaf people have died from those methods... Read book A Place of their own , and you will understand what i mean... Nothing work, and we just keep coming and coming... Since Deaf wont be gone at all, nor will ASL and Deaf Culture...
p.s. The Telegram You just released the Hell upon earth Only way to protect your companys reputation Go and research more on us, Deaf, and our language and culture Its time for ingroant people like you learn something new -
- Chad
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:18:09
The school for the deaf is being phased out, he says. Children (with implants) they get better incomes when they graduate, they get higher levels of learning, they integrate into society.
Mr. Batton, I was born Deaf and raised in a Deaf Community and I worked hard for what I have earned in life and proud to say that I have graduated from Newfoundland School for the Deaf and to call the school, Home Sweet Home.
Your words of oppressions disgusts me as it interpreted that I am stupid . I went to Rochester, New York that had all kinds of supports for Deaf needs and I earned my Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering and now, I am a 27 years old employed engineer and I am comfortable and licensed.
This is another example of how Oppressions in Newfoundland and Labrador have ditched their own people to other places for a better accessability to life, as I am in Maryland.
You may have intelligence but you don't understand our way of life. We don't need your implants.
This is the worst, disgusting and insulting article that I have ever read. -
- sam
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:17:33
sign language is never going to die. it has always been around for thousands of years. get your facts straight, ALISHA MORRISSEY.
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- Barbie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:17:18
i was a cochlear implant user for a year and unfortunately, i had a lot of complications and had to have it removed. maybe this is god's way of telling me that it's PERFECTLY normal to be deaf.
perhaps your country needs a serious reality check regarding disabled people & to learn how to be open minded. not all disabled people are spiteful about their barriers & have been able learn to cope with it (accessibilities, culture, & acceptance).
This article is nothing but oppression & that's a huge disappointment.
DEAF PRIDE from Colorado, USA! -
- Maggie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:17:09
Dr. Batten has been my doctor for a number of years, he is a wonderful person and a very caring doctor. :)
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- Monica
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:17:09
Oh please, dont think that deaf culture is a past. You cant do that to Indian, Indigenous, or black group that it is the past culture and they move on. Our deaf culture is our history of past, present and future and we have no problem in our life except can't hear which we dont want to have cochlear implants. It will give me headache if I try it on. I dont want it at all! Keep deaf culture on!
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- Richard
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:16:42
This article represents the truth the deaf community is facing. They don't want to face this truth. They cant handle this truth.
The cochlear implant, currently the mainstay of dealing with hearing loss, is becoming more of a bridge to newer technology to accomplish the same result almost seamlessly. I serve on a stem cell council and we have our sights on mitigating hearing loss using stem cell technology.
I also make presentations, in high schools and education expositions, on the early CI generations because the bulk of them are completing junior high school and entering high schools. The CI students are close to hearing students and the outcomes are better now than it was 20 years ago as the missing elements, to helping these students, have been discovered and are on place like in their IEP achieve better than the early pioneers.
Of course there is a lot of resistance and their methods have been limited to bullying those who have the CI and those who educate people the beauty of hearing, living independently, and breaking free from the claws of deaf culture.
I also run a deaf social service center in Irvine, California just minutes away from University High School which is one of the last strong holds of the absolutist deaf community in California.
Richard Roehm -
- Happy Texter
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:15:04
Spoken Language is dying anyways. Millions and Millions love texting over chatting.
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- Deanna
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:14:39
Hello, I have read all comments, wow strong comments...
I'm profoundly deaf, graduated at NSD in 1994. I don't have CI on me.
I want to share the facts with you.
Same reason as Chad Greenham's a better accessability to life to lead me to where I work at Walden School Residential TREATMENT Program - The Learning Center for the Deaf Children. (Check www.tlcdeaf.org & www.wsdeaf.org)
Sign Language is dying ? Nope. Sign Language has many benefits than you think.
Several children come in treatment program to get professional treatments that they don't succeed in other schools or other programs because they are challenging (behaviorally, emotionally and mentally disturbed). Several of them had history of CIs.
Some parents think deaf children get CIs to help them to improve their language, lead to increase their intelligence. CIs do not succeed on some specific challenging children.
They nearly had NO language when enrolled WS same time they had CIs on them. They CAN'T speak, hear, and even was never taught sign language.
NO language leads to their combative aggressive behaviors because they are angry and frustrated and were never taught some kind of language they can express their emotions.
We, WS staff have to teach them SIGN LANGUAGE, expose them with words, gestures, body language, facial expressions, and in process lead to teach them about everyday independent living skills. They turn to sign language to communicate and understand. They develop their abilities to express emotions and develop coping skills. One of them frequently break CIs all the times.
Sign language benefits for special needs children and so many people and animals.
I have met some hearing people, they find sign language really benefits such as horseback therapeutic riding, use to communicate with both deaf & hearing horses, dogs, zoo keepers use with gorillas and monkeys, under water scuba diving, and much more.
Its fad right now parents are learning to use sign language for hearing babies...
I'm questioning why can't students with CIs stay at NSD and expand ? They will be always deaf in their souls.
Why can't NSD be kept open to serve ALL deaf, hard of hearing, and CIs students in total communication/ASL environment ?
Where I work at TLC - they have EVERYTHING to serve for the needs of children - ALL for deaf, hard of hearing, CIs
TLC has services for Students with Cochlear Implants. A licensed audiologist works with those students who have cochlear implants. The goal for each child with a cochlear implant is to maximize his/her potential in both spoken English and American Sign Language.
Check http://tlcdeaf.org/about/supportServices.html for
Audiology, Spoken English and Communication Department, Counseling Department, Interpreting Services,
Occupational & Physical Therapy, Nursing Department.
For your information, I have met SO MANY CIs and deaf oralism who do not know sign language before. Once they discover about ASL, they are speedy & highly motivated to pick ASL skills up that they miss out for around 18, 19, 20 years and they always turn around and come back to study or work at deaf schools, deaf advocates, deaf-anything, even get invitations to any deaf sports, deaf events, and Deaf Happy Hours... Anything relates with ASL. Thanks to our keep-going soaring technology through Internet, videophones, and chains of people pass on information. It has been always an interesting self-discovery journey in life.
So... That ENT doctor needs to go on business trips across Canada and U.S. to get more exposing experiences and think carefully before he says to the media. -
- Unknown
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:14:37
to keep your heart beating, now your being a real smart alec. Like seriously, you journalist need to get your facts straighten up.
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- Deanna
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:14:31
Forget to add
Deaf Bilingual Coalition is spreading now across U.S. and it's going to be next in Canada and words are already spreading around the world
To find out what is the DBC by go to www.dbcusa.org -
- Sara
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:14:13
I have been reading the comments posted here about Dr. Batten..I am totally irritated by the way you people are talking about him!!! I think his comments are being taken totally out of context!! He is here to help. He's an amazing doctor and person and my life would not be the same if my family didn't meet him. I am a mother of a 4 yr old girl who lost her hearing in her 2nd year of life. She was immediately implanted when we discovered her hearing loss. We were not forced by Dr. Batten or anyone else at the Janeway. Right now she has bilateral implants and she is doing amazing! For the people who only look at the cons of CI's, come and meet my daughter. I assure you, each one of you will change your mind!!!! I don't feel that my daughter is deaf. To me she wears her CI's just the same as I wear my glasses. She HAD a problem and Dr. Batten corrected that. Thank God! For those of you who have never met Dr. Batten, please don't base an oppinion. As I said before he is the best thing that has ever happened to my family.
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- perfect
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:30
NL should be greatful for such talented surgeons. As we all know, it is hard to get specalized professionals to plant root in Newfoundland. I have never met this man but I would certainly consider him a modern day saint.
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- Very Proud to be DEAF!
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:24
Dr. Batten is obviously living in a prehistoric cave! Sign language is a dying language....?!....excuse me! I am laughing very hard!!!! It is VERY MUCH ALIVE!!!! There are many notable Deaf people who have good jobs. I can understand how late deafened people would want to have cochlear implants as it would help them as they already have the fundamentals of hearing and speaking beforehand. But for a profound Deaf baby who doesn't have the choice to decide at the early age, leave her/him alone! Don't force cochlear implants on anyone. If one wants one, ok, its their decision. As for me, I would never have one. I am very happy in my Deaf Culture and I do participate in the hearing world as I have hearing kids. No problem! =)
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- Katie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:20
*shrugs* Deaf people who have without implants still can get good education after graduation. The most important thing for a child is to know signs at the early age of his/her life. Some studies said that if an infant know how to sign, she/he will have the ability to communicate better. In my opinion, implants isn't the only thing that can make kids go further in their lives. Communication, either ASL or spoken language, is very important in a child's life.
Other than that, I'm just disappointed in what the dr. say about the deaf community and implants. ASL is still a strong language, but maybe just not in Newfoundland.
It seems like that in the implant industry, their focus is on money. Money that's all they want.
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Sign Language is a dying language? What the doctor fails to point out is that 1) the procedure itself could be a violation of the Hippocratic oath based on the fact that he's so eager to bypass any other treatment. This is a major surgery and other options might be acceptable. 2) Every person I have met with a Cochlear Implant 3 so far - still require support from a visual language. What happens when the external device is removed? They're Deaf again. 3) As someone who has been signing as a hearing person I've met persons of all ages and walks of life who do sign and so far there does not appear to be a decline in Signers. This is a doctor who makes a lot of money from insurance companies to provide this service. Insurance companies believe this will cure deafness the condition but this doctor appears to want to Erradicate "Deaf" the cultural identity.