Cochlear Implantation Philosophy

Cochlear implantation is one of the miracles of modern science and medicine.  Most otherwise healthy deaf children who receive cochlear implantation early (less than two) and who receive appropriate auditory verbal training will go on to be full verbal communicators and attend regular schools.  This is amazing and this opportunity did not exist until the last 2 generations of human beings.  That being said, this outcome does not happen as soon as the implant is activated.  It is a long, arduous process that requires many visits for therapies and does involve a surgery that comes with risk.  While complications are rare, they are still possible.  While we love our cochlear implantation and are very enthusiastic about recommending cochlear implantation for the right patient, we are supportive though of families who cannot, or do not wish to have their child implanted.  A deaf child must though, have a means of communication.  If a deaf child is not implanted, they must learn American sign language.  Many people who have severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss use a combination of sign language, lip reading, and hearing aids/cochlear implantation to communicate.  We are supportive of whatever method that works at Peach Pediatric ENT, but you have to provide your child with a means of communication.