There is a host of reasons why a d/Deaf person may choose not to get a cochlear implant (CI).[1] Before we proceed, please be aware that CIs aren't a panacea for deafness and related communication barriers. read more
Share a cochlear implant activation video online and you're likely to see an all-out brawl unfold in the comments section. Deaf people assert that deaf kids don't need implants. Hearing people fire back, arguing that denying those kids cochlear implants is akin to child abuse. Even within the deaf community, there's fierce debate. read more
To me, asking why all deaf people don't get cochlear implants is similar to asking why all Spanish speakers in the US don't learn English. As far as speaking (not reading), most deaf Americans do not know spoken English. read more
More and more deaf people now have them, and they have become more accepted in the deaf community (here is a fantastic blog charting the jump from hearing aids to cochlear implants). Several deaf people I know recently decided to have one fitted. read more