Why Not Marlee Matlin Get A Cochlear Implant?
Isn’t Marlee a Deaf by Choice? Cochlear Implant?
Since Marlee has some hearing, wouldn’t she still be a fine candidate for a Cochlear implant?
I don’t know very much about deaf culture, so maybe someone can shed a light why some people who CAN HEAR with Cochlear implant would not go ahead and get it?
I hear almost all kids who can get good amount of hearing with the implant, go ahead and get it.
Asked by a viewer at a bulletin board: Dancing With The Stars - Message Boards - ABC.com
More comments from the bulletin board:
Thumbs Down:
“DEAF BY CHOICE WTF Who would be deaf by choice?”
“Wow. Try being deaf for a week, then saying that “MAYBE being deaf isn’t a bad thing.” How unbelievably insensitive can you possibly be?
Of COURSE it’s a bad thing, you idiot. It’s called a handicap for a reason. It doesn’t make her any less worthwhile as a person, but anyone who would refuse to fix a handicap is quite simply a masochistic fool.”
“As I said, anyone who would actively choose to forgo a possible solution to a handicap is a masochistic fool. I respect people who overcome the adversity of a handicap. I do NOT respect people who cling to their handicap because they’re afraid of being normal. As I said, Marlee seems great. I’m sure she’s not the sort of person who would hide behind a hearing impairment just for the drama and the ability to play the victim.”
“Yeah, they can do everything except HEAR! Are you serious? I mean, really. I’ve not heard anything more hateful towards the deaf than to claim that their handicap is not a handicap. Why don’t you go to a guy with no legs and tell him that he can do “anything a legged person can do”?
Thumbs Up
“That might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. But MAYBE she is deaf by choice…MAYBE being deaf isn’t a bad thing… MAYBE it is who she is and she is actually happy being deaf! Deaf people have a rich culture and a rich language and a lot of people wouldn’t trade that for the ability to hear. And don’t go and promote a cochlear implant until you know what it is and the truth about it. I don’t have enough room or time to even begin to tell you about cochlear implants and how controversial they are. All I have left to say is…
WHY WOULD YOU FIX SOMETHING THAT ISN’T BROKEN?”
“For the deaf it is not a handicap They can do anything a hearing person can do except hear..
Your ignorance is astounding. ”
“Maybe you should consider that for deaf people it is what is normal and that people like you don’t get to subject your opinion of what is “normal” on them. They are not “clinging to a handicap”, “hiding behind a hearing impairment” or “playing the victim.” It is who they are, and god forbid… they are actually proud of their culture… enough that they don’t feel the need to conform to your beliefs that they need to be fixed.”
Commentary: Many people apparently don’t realize that cochlear implants aren’t the magic pills to cure the deafness. The cochlear implants are not going to make Deaf people functioning like hearing people. As usual, some of the commenters show their ignorance. If you have some free time, why don’t you go over there and give them a piece of your opinion? Let them know that Deaf people are actually happy being Deaf! 
MZ
Gentle reminder: Please note that it wasn’t me who asked the question about MM getting a c.i., but a viewer at the bulletin board
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
Isn’t Marlee a Deaf by Choice? Cochlear Implant?
Since Marlee has some hearing, wouldn’t she still be a fine candidate for a Cochlear implant?
I don’t know very much about deaf culture, so maybe someone can shed a light why some people who CAN HEAR with Cochlear implant would not go ahead and get it?
I hear almost all kids who can get good amount of hearing with the implant, go ahead and get it.
Asked by a viewer at a bulletin board: Dancing With The Stars - Message Boards - ABC.com
More comments from the bulletin board:
Thumbs Down:
“DEAF BY CHOICE WTF Who would be deaf by choice?”
“Wow. Try being deaf for a week, then saying that “MAYBE being deaf isn’t a bad thing.” How unbelievably insensitive can you possibly be?
Of COURSE it’s a bad thing, you idiot. It’s called a handicap for a reason. It doesn’t make her any less worthwhile as a person, but anyone who would refuse to fix a handicap is quite simply a masochistic fool.”
“As I said, anyone who would actively choose to forgo a possible solution to a handicap is a masochistic fool. I respect people who overcome the adversity of a handicap. I do NOT respect people who cling to their handicap because they’re afraid of being normal. As I said, Marlee seems great. I’m sure she’s not the sort of person who would hide behind a hearing impairment just for the drama and the ability to play the victim.”
“Yeah, they can do everything except HEAR! Are you serious? I mean, really. I’ve not heard anything more hateful towards the deaf than to claim that their handicap is not a handicap. Why don’t you go to a guy with no legs and tell him that he can do “anything a legged person can do”?
Thumbs Up
“That might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. But MAYBE she is deaf by choice…MAYBE being deaf isn’t a bad thing… MAYBE it is who she is and she is actually happy being deaf! Deaf people have a rich culture and a rich language and a lot of people wouldn’t trade that for the ability to hear. And don’t go and promote a cochlear implant until you know what it is and the truth about it. I don’t have enough room or time to even begin to tell you about cochlear implants and how controversial they are. All I have left to say is…
WHY WOULD YOU FIX SOMETHING THAT ISN’T BROKEN?”
“For the deaf it is not a handicap They can do anything a hearing person can do except hear..
Your ignorance is astounding. ”
“Maybe you should consider that for deaf people it is what is normal and that people like you don’t get to subject your opinion of what is “normal” on them. They are not “clinging to a handicap”, “hiding behind a hearing impairment” or “playing the victim.” It is who they are, and god forbid… they are actually proud of their culture… enough that they don’t feel the need to conform to your beliefs that they need to be fixed.”
Commentary: Many people apparently don’t realize that cochlear implants aren’t the magic pills to cure the deafness. The cochlear implants are not going to make Deaf people functioning like hearing people. As usual, some of the commenters show their ignorance. If you have some free time, why don’t you go over there and give them a piece of your opinion? Let them know that Deaf people are actually happy being Deaf! MZ
Gentle reminder: Please note that it wasn’t me who asked the question about MM getting a c.i., but a viewer at the bulletin board
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
March 26th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Mishka…
Ohhh, boy……they’re ignorants thinking CI is a fix for everyone. It doesn’t work with some. Therefore CI is not a CURE NOR FIX NOR RESTORE your hearing, for chrissake! That may help some, it may NOT help others. Sheesh….what a bunch of ignorants. LOL
Misha
March 26th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I am not an expert, but I recollected that if you are HOH or a small amount of hearing, you are not automatically a candidate for CI because there are risks since getting a CI will damage any hearing you got left. Profound deafness is usually preferred since it is almost as if you got nothing to lose.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Mishka, indeed. When will they understand this basic concept?
Gnarly, MM is profoundly deaf.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I am profoundly deaf (120 dB) and I wear hearing aids (AVR’s ImpaCt aids)… with aids, I hear at between 30 dB and 50 dB. I have good speech recognition (close to 50% on speech recognition… I need to score less than 30% to be eligible for CIs.)
So everyone is different.
But, yes, education is badly needed to debunk the myths of disabilities.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Wow! Killer post! Thanks so much for posting this…I will definitely check out the board. It’s amazing how ignorant people can be and how terribly offensive. Just goes to show how more education and awareness is needed on both sides of the issues. Jodi
March 26th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
In all these ya boo debates about CI’s. culture, and deafness, most ignore it is entirely an INDIVIDUAL experience how deafness affects the person, the problems arise when you get a load of responses with ‘deaf people’ terminology used, it’s as if it is not the done thing to BE an individual, even singular people who comment adopt the ‘deaf people’ term, it’s like some sort of shield they use.
Of course then the issue and debate is immediately taken away from the individual to a different ‘collective’ level and is then lost.
I blame the term ‘deaf community’ for a lot of the current problems of awareness, when someone can actually ID one we could perhaps debate it…. but let someone define it first, without carving us all up like a joint of meat.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Almost ALL of the “handicap” of being deaf is due to how hearing society treats us. If Deafies were in control of society, there would be no “handicap”.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I think we need to take out hammer and hit their heads to show them we deaf are FINE. Maybe it will work.
not so nice deafie
March 26th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Let see MM her answer about this.
Davy
March 26th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Geez! Are the CIs always going to be brought up all the time when it comes to deafness? Honestly, I am getting tired of reading about CIs. There is more to the Deaf community and deafness than CIs.
I will post in that bulletin and tell those hearing folks that they have a lot to learn.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Elizabeth,
Since you are asking why it is that Marlee Matlin was not implanted, I might as well take the liberty to ask the same question: Why have you
not been implanted?
March 26th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Less two years ago. I watched Oprah show about colhear implant. Marlee and Heather did interviewed with Oprah.
Marlee say My hearing is nearly profound hearing loss mean it is not mean hard of hearing.
Heather did admiited that CI did drove her nuts for more than 3 month later after she was recieved a CI implant and not being used it. she heard her son fell off from the porch and heard his son cried. Heather cannot find him where he is.. but turn out he is fine. she say From the beginning it was hard to know what that sound come from.. she was admitted it was very frustrated for her to be idendifited sound came from.
During show. Oprah surprised hearing aid is not beneifit for deaf people to hear. but, just simple Marlee doesnt really want to CI in her hearing implant by CI. she prefer hearing aids. Interesing!
Nice to interviewed with Miss Americia Heather and Marlee shared with Oprah.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I was just going to say the same thing as Deaf Pixie, I saw that show on Oprah a few years ago.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
here we go again..impose ones values on the other…how is it any of our business?
never mind that you are happy as you are, we will fix you…
you dont know what you are missing…you gotta have it…you gotta buy it..
it is on sale now…might cost more next year…
if it aint snake oil, its something akin to it…
smell fishy? make YOUR choices but i am ready to shoot the next salesperson…
March 26th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
LET you know something.. I know more than million deaf people who have CI and it wasn’t sucessful at all!!! CI is not answer for all problem! so dont press it on… just leave CI issues alone and move on…. why kept talk about CI again and again!…It getting old and boring!
March 26th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Jean, silence is golden. Why mess with it?
Matt, yeah the apparent trend is to get us all cochlear implanted. Nevermind that we are already doing exceptionally well as we are, thank you. No need to ‘fix’ us!
Look at Marlee Matlin! For heavens sake, she is already a SUCCESSFUL story. Why the talk about her needing to get a cochlear implant?
Jean, by the way, it wasn’t me who asked the question.. a viewer did
March 26th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I was at Gallaudet University uring the late 1980s and I never saw a student with CI. Now I see quite a few Gally graduates with CI. I ti stheir choices. Some Deaf people hated Matlee Martin for speaking only during the Oscar Awards. Now on TV with Dancing with the Stars, she signed a lot and spoke less with voice. I wondered how many of those Deaf will applauded her?
March 26th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Prouddeaf….more than a million and they weren’t successful…all one million of them. You should be ashamed for spreading untruths like that.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Thanks MZ for bringing up the attention to direct us to the website but after reading up to halfway (over 200 comments there), I had enough.
I am amazed and appalled about some of the idiotic and ignorant statements and it is sending us the message that there is a lot of educating to do.
There are too many hearing people with no experience or contact with the Deaf community making assumptions. I just hope that the good that came out of this forum is that they have learned about valid reasons why a Deaf person like Marlee choses not to have a C.I. There were some good points but I can see that opinions still vary. It is just impossible to see a conformity in agreement though but it is good to see certain comments that will allow to broaden their perspective in a better light.
My concern is that it seems like there is a plantation mentality that whenever a person is Deaf, one should rush to get a CI. Or that to have a C.I. spells success which is not necessarily the case. Marlee is making a great progress and she is managing just fine without it. Go, go Marlee!!
March 26th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I gave up after reading about 50 comments… All right, we are all differently abled in one way or another. I am aware that the majority of the world’s population has a very limited exposure to deaf people which explains the depth of ignorance.
*sigh* We still have a LONG way to go. I know there will always be “normally abled” people who feel threatened by “differently abled” people.
March 26th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
One more thing…my children who watch Dancing with the Stars just get kicks out of watching a DEAF person being able to dance… they don’t go analyzing why, how, what, who, etc… they just simply celebrate the fact that a DEAF person can dance as well as, or better than the hearing people.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
nahh….why get ci? she is doing perfectly fine and such a wonderful role model. she does wonders
why fix it if it ain’t broken…that’s my perspective of marlee….she is beautiful as she is, why mess with something that is already beautiful. it’s like saying ahh i don’t like this butterfly anymore, i want him to go back to being a caterpillar stuck in a cocoon.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I think that it’s great that MM is happy just like she is. She is a great role model for all children.
What I have an issue with is comments like….
“LET you know something.. I know more than million deaf people who have CI and it wasn’t sucessful at all!!!”
No comment as it speaks for itself.
Maybe this person should have an issue and spend more time educating themselves about the truths about cochlear implants…….be them good or bad. Not just myths and falsehoods.
March 27th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
There is deleted title “Why Not Marlee Matlin Get A Cochlear Implant?” and deleted all comments from the bulletin board in Dancing With The Stars - Message Boards - ABC.com.
March 28th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Chris H
I couldn’t find that thread, either
April 21st, 2008 at 3:54 pm
My father is hard of hearing, if he does not have his hearing aids in he does not hear anything unless you yell very loudly towards him. He had CI but they failed and the doctors told him that the younger you are the better chance you have. His body rejected the items being placed inside it so it was more than being a good candidate it is what the body will do and that cannot be determined until after.
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Ok… The CI debate is too long for a forum. As the mother of a Deaf child I was pressured into getting my daughter a CI. As a hearing parent the audiologist makes you believe your child is “broken” and suggests your child get an implant. Then they shove papers in your face and you sign off because these so-called-professionals suggest you must get this to “fix” the problem. They in no way or shape expose you to the Deaf community and let you learn about the culture before, “because we must do this now!!” I do not believe CI’s are evil or good, but I do believe they are a tool…. not for the Deaf, but for the hearing. My daughter goes to the Deaf school and wears her implant now when SHE wants to, and right now it is about half of her waking hours. I have taken classes at the college to learn more sign and am getting my Deaf Studies certificate. I am not an advocate for CI’s as I once was. But I believe this is a valuable tool, and I am going to express it again, for the HEARING. The Deaf are just fine being Deaf. When people accept that and sign is a required language we will all be better off! I can learn their language, and we all should.
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I found this quote:
“It was ability that mattered, not disability, which is a word I’m not crazy about using.”
-Marlee Matlin