Part A-
1. Describe a situation when your auditory perception may be impaired. What behaviors would be affected? Why?
2. Watch the "Technology and Deaf Culture" video. What are the pros and cons of cochlear implants? How do they affect the perceptual process of hearing? What changes would you expect in behaviors after receiving a cochlear implant? (video link is here: https://fod.infobase.com/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=11783)
Part B- Please participate (respond) to the classmates answers with notable and educational input. (200 word minimum Reponses)
1. Kelly: Hello classmates and facilitator. I found this video very interesting. The pros of having a cochlear implant is that a person would regain there hearing and be able to live a normal life. One con I found was that it must be done in the first 3 years of a persons life. That means that people who are grown now are not able to get this implant and regain their hearing. My cousin was born deaf and she uses hearing aids and has had an operation done to help regain her hearing. She has 4 children and they are all deaf but they have had the cochlear implants done. She says she has seen a great happiness since her children have been able to hear. She said they act like they are in a whole new world and I think that is how most children feel once they have cochlear implants. A cochlear implant is a device that is attached to the ear and also has a piece surgically connected to the brain for them to be able to hear sound waves. This is how they are able to hear once they have cochlear implants. I think this is a great invention, but it needs to be able for adults to have this implant as well.
2. Bernice:The way they affect the perceptual process of hearing is: the implants work like a miniature computer that is surgically implanted in the head behind the ear. The device transmits electrical signals to the auditory nerve, which the brain interprets as sound in the cochlear, thus producing hearing. The pros of cochlear implants, is that a person does not have to grow up deaf, also, it provides access to spoken language. The cons is that in order for the implants to be successful, it must be done in the first few years of life or it may not be as effective on a person, also, some people feel that it may be a way of doing away with sign language, and them trying to fix deaf people. The changes I would expect in behaviors after receiving a cochlear implant is that a person will learn: to hear, to talk and function everyday in the hearing world.
Retrieved from: Technology and deaf culture [Video file]. (2001). In Films On Demand. Retrieved February 9, 2016, from fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=18566&xtid=11783
3. Clarissa: A coworker and dear friend has these devices to aid with his hearing. In his advanced age, he has to go in often to have them readjusted because his hearing varies so much. Sometimes he yells when I talk to him because, I assume, the device is having an off day. Knowing how he is now, I couldn't imagine not being able to speak to him because of not being able to hear himself. I couldn't imagine him not being able to hear the laughter of his grandchildren. There are great advantages to these devices but there are also disadvantages such as complications after surgery like damage to the facial and auditory nerves, and the chance of infection.
I can imagine the changes are dramatic in that being able to hear is a big deal. I couldn't imagine not being able to hear my daughter tell me she loves me or to hear emotions when a loved one tells me they are proud of something I have accomplished.
4. Catherine: This is a very informative and interesting video. I actually have a friend that has cochlear implants. In addition, she is the owner of a nearby hearing center. In school, she had to wear huge hearing aids in both ears. Cochlear implants made a huge difference in her life and now she is making a difference in other people's lives who suffer with hearing impairments. The main pro of getting a cochlear implant is that you have an excellent chance of regaining some (if not all) of your hearing. It will enable you to communicate better, have a more functional life, and can enable you to have a fuller life. It will also save on the need to learn sign language and lip reading, as well as depending on others for hearing help.
Another great advantage to having cochlear implants is that, for younger people who receive it, it can help them in school and in social groups, as well as broaden their prospective aspects for a career choice. While they may still be limited, the limitation won't be as severe or as hindering as if they had no hearing choices available to them.
Being able to hear with a cochlear implant will also be safer for those who receive the implant. Being able to hear will allow them to be more aware of dangerous situations and hear impending danger situations (such as on a construction site, car accident, etc.). Hearing in general allows for a more fulfilling life and being able to enjoy moments in life.
Cochlear implants require a surgical insertion. Surgery in and of itself always runs risks, however if you have any medical conditions prior to surgery, they may hinder healing or cause more complications. Always talk to your doctor regarding past and current health concerns. Surgery can also result in muscle spasms, numbness of the surgical site, and occasional facial numbness or minor facial paralysis.
Older adults who receive the implant might have temporary or permanent electronic conversion complications in the brain (these are not painful). Electronic signals might not register fully and some speech hindrance or hearing hindrance may occur, however, children rarely have this complication.
People who receive the implant are also limited on some physical activities, including high contact sports, water sports or water recreation, and water related activities. Water exposure can damage the implant or cause complications with the implant. Always talk to your doctor before doing any activities in which the implant could get wet.
The costs associated with the cochlear implant surgery often run a high cost. Mots insurance companies do not cover much (if any) of the surgery as some insurances see this as a chosen surgery (similar to cosmetic surgery) and that it is a patients choice to opt for surgery. Insurance companies are often more willing to work with those who are children or are younger adults.
The cochlear implant does require maintenance. It often will require battery changing, replacement of wires, and remapping of the processor can often run at high costs. Being sure to take care of the implant and being aware of the environmental hazards can all save you on costs of replacement.
Some people, unfortunately, will have surgical complications and the device may not work for them. The body may also reject the implant, which could require removal or further surgery. If the device fails, patients will experience the same level (if not higher level) of deafness or hearing loss until the device is replaced or repaired.
The implant device does take time getting used to. Some people complain of itchiness and dry irritated skin around the outer part of the device (consult with your doctor for skin care at the site). Other people have mentioned that certain clothing can also irritate the area (hoods, scarfs, hats, etc.).
5. Kristine: Auditory perception is the ability to perceive and understand sounds, usually with specific organs, such as a humans ears. Sound exists in the form of vibrations that travel through the air or through other substances. Ears detect such vibrations and convert them into nerve impulses, which are then sent to the brain where they can be interpreted. Deafness describes a condition in which individuals have no auditory perception; deaf individuals are not capable of perceiving or interpreting sounds. Different animals can perceive different sounds; dogs, for example, are capable of perceiving very high-pitched sounds that humans cannot perceive. Your auditory perception can be impaired when you ride on a flight and once it reaches a certain altitude its like you really cant hear much but faint sounds and popping of your ears. Normally when that happens to me I and blow really hard or just wait until the flight has landed to try to gain my hearing.
6. Kellie Buck: This is not an impairment necessarily but I imagine there is a situation much like inattentive blindness that refers to hearing. I work at a school of about 370 students, more specifically with a group of 12 students in a behavior program. I have to pay close attention to my students, but because of the other 358 students, it is not always easy. Sometimes a group of giggly 5th graders can distract me from noticing that one of my own 5th graders is using inappropriate language, or an argument during 4th grade kickball makes me miss that one of my 4th graders is calling someone names. In both of these examples, what I am not directly processing comes to me as background noise instead of what I am paying attention to, and determines how I react to the situation (or in some cases if I react at all).