Sir, – I was saddened to read the comments of Dr John Bosco Conama (October 29th) regarding bilateral cochlear implantation for profoundly deaf children. He clearly shows a misunderstanding of the technology, of advances in medicine, the results of research, and of the pathos and significance of Deputy O'Brien's gesture in the Dáil two minutes' silence.
My son, who is 20 months-old was diagnosed as being profoundly deaf at birth. Hearing aids were fitted, but he showed no response to any sounds despite the aids being at their maximum setting. We never heard his voice until six weeks after his cochlear implant was switched on at 13 months of age. He now has about 30 words, is responding to and understanding many more, and dances when he hears music.
However, he has no idea where sound comes from. This is a constant worry as he grows and gets more independent. He can’t tell if a lorry is coming down the street from his left, or right, or if it’s behind him. Similarly, when he goes to school, he will have difficulty locating people’s voices, and discerning the teacher’s voice if there is background noise in the classroom.
There is a large body of peer-reviewed research to support not only cochlear implantation for profoundly deaf children, but also evidence is emerging of significantly improved results for children who have bilateral implants, in hearing voices amid noise, the localisation of sounds, and in their quality of speech. More research is needed, but so it is with every new development in medicine.
I have the highest regard for members of the deaf community who have opted for their profoundly deaf children not to have implants. That is their decision, and if they feel their children would be happier and more fulfilled in that community, then hats off to them.
However, I and my husband, as well as many other parents, are abundantly thankful to medical science for the invention of the cochlear implant, and to Prof Laura Viani and her wonderful team in Beaumont, who simply want to provide a world-class service and are hindered because of Government short-sightedness and lack of funding. – Yours, etc,
Dr RACHEL FELLOWES,
MB BCh BAO MRCS,
Kilnaclasha,
Skibbereen, Co Cork.