| Parents of children who use cochlear implants are | | | | 1. "Cochlear Implants are imbedded in the brain." |
| used to the interest that their child's cochlear implant | | | | 2. "Children with cochlear implants cannot learn to sing." |
| receives. There are the stares at the "thing on the kid's | | | | 3. "Cochlear Implants are a cure for deafness." |
| head," there are the questions, and there are the blank | | | | 4. "By Getting a Cochlear Implant, you are "losing out" |
| stares that ultimately follow after you inform them that | | | | from beingable to restore normal hearing with some |
| it's called a cochlear implant. | | | | future technology." |
| Occasionally, you do come across someone who | | | | 5. "Cochlear Implants are too experimental." |
| actually has heard of a cochlear implant before. | | | | According to recent studies, only 15% of the deaf |
| However, after speaking with them for a few | | | | population in the United States choose to receive |
| moments, you may actually wish that they would be | | | | cochlear implants. There are a few reasons cited for |
| from the first group. Most of the time, they tend to | | | | this very low number, but one of the major reasons |
| have very basic misconceptions about the implant and | | | | why people don't consider implants is due to having |
| they are convinced of their truth. | | | | wrong perceptions of them. It is therefore vital that |
| Myths about cochlear implants have plagued them | | | | cochlear implant users be knowledgeable about the |
| since day one. They are spread either by malicious | | | | process, and that they should be able to dispel the |
| intent from those that are opposed to its use, such as | | | | myths that are so prevalent. |
| the deaf culture community; or they are just believed | | | | It is highly likely that a potential cochlear implant |
| by well-meaning folks who are simply mistaken. | | | | candidate will first discuss the implant with an actual CI |
| Here is our list of the 5 most common myths that | | | | user be agreeing to be implanted. By being able to |
| we've come across. Although there are plenty more, | | | | properly respond and inform the candidate, you will be |
| these are the ones that seem to be the most | | | | more likely to succeed in convincing the candidate to |
| widespread. It is important that cochlear implant users | | | | finally undergo implantation. As is usually the case, |
| be knowledgeable enough to dispel these myths by | | | | cochlear implants dramatically increase the user's |
| properly educating those that are willing to learn the | | | | quality of life, and they will ultimately be full of gratitude |
| truth. | | | | for assisting them in their decision. |