Deaf the 2008 Television Movie Sweet Nothing

Deaf

The 2008 television movie Sweet Nothing in My Ear presents the controversy over cochlear implants in a sensitive, albeit heart-wrenching, way. Whether or not Adam receives the implant, he will be a loved child and will grow into a healthy, robust adult with the potential to fulfill his dreams. The question is whether Adam will grow into a Deaf adult or a hearing adult. His mother is Deaf, and so is his grandfather. Adam is therefore already part of the Deaf community, and if he were to not receive the implant, he would seamlessly integrate into that community. With his mother's and grandfather's support and familiarity with Deaf culture, Adam would have no trouble finding ways to thrive without hearing. On the other hand, Adam's father is a hearing person. Because Adam gradually loses his hearing, he has already had one foot in the hearing world. Adam is therefore caught between two worlds, the hearing and the Deaf. Like a bi-cultural or bi-racial child, he will always contend with problems related to fitting in completely with one or the other community. If he decides to shun the implant, he will be embraced by the Deaf community but will have a difficult time integrating into the hearing world when he is in school and in his future career. Adam is too young to make the decision on his own, as his parents' conflicting opinions undoubtedly create confusion in his head. If he has to decide at this stage in his life, the best option for Adam would be to accept the implant in spite of the potential negative consequences he might experience from the Deaf community. It is a difficult choice, but one that must be made as Adam starts to develop an identity. Adam should accept the implant.

The reasons for the implant tend to outweigh the reasons against it. For one, Adam can and will still be a part of the Deaf community; it is up to the community to accept him on his terms and for his choices. Undoubtedly there will be some who believe that the acceptance of the implant disintegrates Deaf identity and fosters prejudices and stereotypes. The Deaf community will claim that Adam can do everything and be everything he could be whether he was Deaf or not. Yet unfortunately, they would be wrong. The Deaf voices are valid and need to be heard; their motives for retaining Deaf culture are strong. In this case, though, Adam could grow up to be a bridge between the hearing and the Deaf if he decides to take the implant. Few people will have the opportunity to be a liaison between these two communities, but Adam will have that choice more if he can communicate both verbally and nonverbally.

Adam's father also understands that his son's career opportunities would be somewhat restricted should he deny the cochlear implant. There are a number of professions that demand hearing: law enforcement, for example, or aviation. Adam would not be able to be a football quarterback if he were Deaf. Adam can technically get a job in any broad sector he chooses whether or not he accepts the implant. But his parents do not know what Adam's core strengths and talents are yet. Until those core strengths and talents are known, it might be best to wait and see.