Now enter a device that ends deafness and is causing, get this, anger in the deaf community. Instead of being happy about such a device the deaf community is applaud by it. The device we are referring to is called the cochlear device or also referred to as the bionic ear.



The cochlear device is an implant that goes inside the head of a person without hearing. The implant inside the head connects to the brain's hearing function. An external unit attaches to the outside of the head by use of a magnet and feeds sound to the brain.

The cochlear device does not itself guarantee that the deaf person will function as well as a person who does not have the disability but it has very encouraging results. Much speech training is needed and generally this device is only encouraged for young children who can learn at a better rate than adults.

Here is where I think the deaf community is concerned. Since it really is only encouraged for very young children they are in fear of losing their relationship with their children. They may feel they are uncomfortable outside of the deaf community and are uncomfortable with their children being outside of it. I have a hard time figuring if this is an act of love or selfishness.

So I came to the conclusion that this bionic ear device is probably going to be more suited to children who have hearing parents. The training process would be easier for them since they are not falling back on their sign language usage with their deaf parents.