Cochlear Implants

To the Editor: In his Perspective article (Sept. 26 issue), 1 O'Donoghue states that “[d]eafness impairs quality of life by relentlessly dismantling the machinery of human communication.” He highlights cochlear implants as a panacea for persons with hearing loss, without discussing the value of American Sign Language (ASL). ASL is a recognized, widely taught language that has enabled deaf people to communicate and create a sense of community and culture, thereby defying the stereotypical notion of isolated deaf people. In addition, Bauman and colleagues affirm that the use of vision is as effective as the use of hearing for access to . . .