My 4month old is deaf..Should i consider getting Cochlear implants or not?

[ahve]

I have a 4month old daughter who was born with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder. ANSD is when the nerves in her ears are not sending the sounds to her brain the way its suppose to. My husband and i have no family history of hearing loss so the news of her having ANSD was devastating.
   When i first heard of Cochlear Implants i was like YES i want her to have them put in when she do turns a year. As for my husband he is out right against it. He does not want any kind of surgery done on her.
    So my question is should i consider the implants or just stick to trying other options
                           P.S. i really want my baby to hear one day no matter what it might take.
  

[jlannaa]

my daughter is 19 months old and she was born deaf she received a CI at the age of 13 months and she is saying words its amazing we are getting the other side done very soon i can only tell you it has been amazing for us its a family choice for sure

[beachcomber13]

What did you decide?

Does your baby have hearing loss in addition to auditory neuropathy? I assume so, since you mentioned wanting her to hear.

You should know that success with cochlear implants tends to be more limited with AN. Also that AN is often misdiagnosed--they may later tell you that she doesn't have it after all.

How is your daughter doing?

[myfishy3]

well i think cochlear implants are awesome, i have made so many good friends who are deaf with CI and many who dont have them. the only thing i have to say about it, is PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I BEG YOU please learn sign language! both of you! your family too! it opens up a whole other world!

i think this is one of many reasons behind the big CI debate, its like hearing people want to "fix" their deaf child by giving them the wonderful gift of hearing, but then deprive them of the wonderful culture of the deaf world!  
(I do NOT mean this to sound offensive in anyway) i am just asking you allow her he know that she is still deaf, but she still has this great gift to hear.

if you really want her to hear, the cochlear implants work best on young children. if your husband is still against it, maybe you both should go meet someone with a CI and talk to them for a bit. see what it has done for them in their lifes and have him attend a meeting with the doctor to discuss the risks and bennifits.  end of rant :P

i wish the best of luck to you all and i really truely wish you guys will become involved in the deaf community :) such a wonderful place!

[AnnieBrooke]

Well, if you have health insurance, it doesn't seem like that would be such a huge impact financially that you couldn't try to rescue your brother-in-law, if his other options are really bad.  But whether you and your husband have the emotional energy for two kids who both have needs that are above and beyond the so-called 'average' kid, only you can say.  I think your brother-in-law's situation sounds awful, but you didn't say in your post where else he could go if he did not go with you.  If it's only you and the other choice is essentially the streets, I'd reconsider pretty hard.  Even a life where money is short can be a happy life, if the family pulls it together.

[ahve]

Thanks again..you commented on my forum about my 9yr. Bro inlaw.My daughters condition is also a reason why i know we can't financially afford another child. But I'm glad you agree with me because I'm extremely concern about her future and not being able to communicate with the world.I'm going to certainly consider getting them in if her hearing aides don't work. I will be sure to tell my hard-headed husband.
                                       *Thanks

[AnnieBrooke]

I'd certainly do it.  Deafness has impacts on learning and brain development, it's not simply about not being able to hear (as it would be later in life if someone lost their hearing).  If your husband is being adamant about this, perhaps a visit to a specialist who knows about these connections would help him understand why it matters so much for a baby to hear (if it can happen).