here it is…

http://www.theage.com.au/national/implants-incite-sound-debate-for-the-deaf-20090711-dgrh.html

I was talking to Liam about this very issue, last weekend. Talking to him, I came to better understanding of the implant, than I would have ever gotten from the usual media sources.

That is the problem. Vested interests.

Vested interests need to pump up their positions without due regard to reality or how it affects people.

When Liam told me of a young deafie, who had an implant, that failed [didn't work for him], and a bit of his background, I was filled with dismay. Is this person to be consigned to the scrap heap?

There is nothing unusual about the hype surrounding the implant. Similar hype was pumped out about the hearing aids. Even I had UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS about what they can really do, and was shattered to realise that I didn’t have “normal hearing” after all.

What people need to UNDERSTAND, is that deafies are real live, human beings, not blank canvases upon which they impress their bullshit!

I take your point about the professionals offering realistic advice once u go thru the assessment process. Unfortunately the statements of Clark and Shepherd do not just give people false hope, they also belittle Deaf and other people who have disadvantages and disabilities. The statements imply that to be equal one must hear and meet the ideals of the majority. This is the most offensive part of what these two bigots had to say.

Thank you form your response. The purpose of my article was to try and ilicit such realsitic responses as your own. In this sense I think I succeeded. One must also realise that Clarke and Shepherd are not the only ones that use hype. The example provided of the statement put forth by Deaf Australia is another example of hype. All one asks is for accurate and realistic portrayals. Both sides need to get their act together.

You mentioned an article published in the age quoting Professor Clark. Since you didn’t provide an online link I endeavoured to find out for myself what the context of the quote and the quote in it’s entirety.

I assume you are referring to this article .

The age article does a good job of trying to publish a balanced story but it doesn’t provide a context to what Professor Clarke is quoted saying. On it’s own it is damaging enough and quite honestly the article could viewed as a counter-propaganda piece. My interpretation of the article is it’s very sympathetic towards using Auslan.

Marc Curtis, manager of VicDeaf Auslan and Interpreting Services in East Melbourne was quoted (on the implant) “It’s a really politically charged, difficult, difficult issue to discuss”.

Difficult issue to discuss? I agree as people tend to become emotional and passionate in voicing their opinions of the implant.

Various commentators have correctly (in my view) pointed out it is nothing more than a powerful hearing aid. In fact the surgeon who did my first implant told me this when I went to visit his office for a consultation years ago. I can honestly say if you make the decision to get the implant be prepared to make the most of it and yes it does involve a lot of work.

Few people realise the “rehabilitation” which comes after acquiring the implant which clearly explains the wide variations in it’s “success”. It is completely dependant on the individual’s personal history of deafness, personality, amount of support they receive from family, friends etc, intelligence, mental resilience and so on.

I know for a fact the audiologists who work with implant recipients do their best in providing honest, factual & realistic information about the implant’s success. Potential candidates are required to consult as many implant recipients with their experiences and are always encouraged to make up their own minds about going ahead with the it.

I realise you are only criticising Clarke & Shepherd for publicising misleading information about the CI this is true, but remember once someone decides to kick-start the process of acquiring an implant they will meet people who will give them a much much more realistic picture of what the implant can/cannot do.