Very nice letter, CW. My thoughts/issues with the CIs (I am deaf, too) is that it's a decision not to be made lightly. I am sure you thought your decision through as you have one, and I hope it works well for you. I wear hearing aids myself.

But as far as children are concerned, I do take issue with parents trying to force CIs on children who are not old enough to decide if they want this (what is wrong with wearing hearing aids UNTIL the child decides they'd be interested in a CI ? I have a profound hearing loss yet with speech therapists and mainstreaming, I speak very well, I graduated with Honors and from college.) So, hearing aids worked just fine for me.

This is not meant to be a pro-con debate of hearing aids vs. CIs, what I am saying is I take issue with parents forcing CIs on children who can't make that decision for themselves yet when hearing aids would do until they CAN make that decision.

And I don't understand either, a 6 year old insisting on having a CI. What if she regretted that decision later as an adult or older child? (For those who don't know, a hearing aid assists/amplifies whatever remaining hearing you have, whereas a CI surgery eradicates all residual hearing -- I know medical technology is working to change that) so for a CI, there is no going back.

That's why I don't think children, by way of themselves wanting a CI, or by way of parents forcing them to have a CI, should have one until they are clearly old enough to make an educated and personal choice.

Just my 2 cents! I don't mean to offend you in any way, CW. I know everyone has their opinion and I'm very glad your CI works for you.