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Should Deaf Children Need Hearing Aids?

Source: What to expect if your child needs hearing aids
https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-aids/children

As born a Deaf person, I was raised by hearing therapy. Usually, when they are profoundly Deaf people, their parents go to hearing therapy, as expected to be able to hear and speak. Which, are hearing aids, cochlear implants, even shamans, or any offers that they have received from the doctor. I was raised by going to shamans, hearing therapy, hospital, and even going to the best hospital in Jakarta. What was the result? Nothing, as it didn't what my parents expect. My parents suggested having hearing aids and it happened when I studied in Wonosobo. I had two hearing aids, of different types. I reminded that was IDR 2 million or $135.7 USD and we bought it in Apotek Kimia Farma, Malioboro, Yogyakarta. We didn't use insurance because it was out-network health insurance. The most expensive is cochlear implants because you suppose to pay IDR 300 million or $20. 260 USD and perhaps over it, including monthly therapy after taking a surgery. So, that's why I always declined my parents' wants. If you are on health insurance, you are lucky and it can be covered, but as definitely not a strong recommendation because it will hurt Deaf children in the future and is definitely not safe for them. I wish we have Deaf insurance to be covered by having hearing aids, therapy, cochlear implants, etc, hehe. 

Hearing aids are important to Deaf people, by learning what they hear, where the sound they heard and identifying which the sounds are.  Why it is important? Because I believe they still have hearing left despite their being diagnosed as profoundly Deaf, they need to be maximized to thrive their hearing. But, when they are 18 years old, they are going to have the right to decide to remain to wear it or not. You can't force what they decide when they are 18 years old, just like they want to sign or reading-lips, or both ways. You should respect what they decide as they want to be comfortable. 

I was raised by wearing hearing aids but I decided not to wear them anymore when I was 14 years old, at that time, I moved to a mainstream school because hearing aids made me get headaches due to I couldn't identify where the sound that I've heard, too many sounds that I've heard, and just felt uncomfortable with hearing aids. I heard all sounds that assumed as the same sound, like hearing water, traffic, music, concert, etc are as the same sounds. Not get used to be. So, if I suppose to go to the concert, I would hate it because it is too high and hard sound and vibration but neither to hearing people who getting used because they can control their sounds and can identify where the sound comes from. I'm more comfortable without being hearing aids and it makes me feel at peace. 

I have Deaf friends who wearing hearing aids growing and they told me they are more comfortable with them because of any reason. I can understand and respect their decision and choice of what they want. That's okay and you should not control us because you aren't Deaf and you are hearing so you never feel what we are feeling as Deaf. 

I'm Deaf and decided not to wear hearing aids anymore and to sign over reading lips because I'm more full comfortable using sign language and without wearing hearing aids. I decided to sign when I was 18 years old and not wear hearing aids when I was 14 years old. This is my decision. 

I wish you are going to respect what your Deaf children decide when your Deaf children are 18 years old or 17 years old if you live in Indonesia (for me, it's okay to start earlier at 17 years old because we live in Indonesia, where the country to start a little earlier than other countries, by one year). Believe in me, they will appreciate you if you value their freedom.

But if you want cochlear implants when your Deaf children are below 17-18 years old, please be careful about the consequence in the future. If you are ready for that, that's okay and no problem. It's about your responsibilities as a parent of Deaf children when they are still below 17-18 years old. To me, again, not a strong recommendation. I would prefer to teach them sign language instead of a futile struggle hoping can hear.

Thanks, everyone!

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