Informed Parental Consent for Cochlear Implantation of Young Deaf Children: Social and Other Considerations

This paper examines the social parameters surrounding the management a/informed consent procedures for the parents ofyoung deafchildren/or the surgical fitting ofa cochlear implant ('biO/lic ear') to their child. Although most observers of this remarkable and well publicised medical development only see benefits in its use, the authors examine the nature afthe conflict which has emerg.?d between medical and media portrayals of the 'miracle' device and the contrasting social. cultural and linguistic views afmany Deafpeople. The paper analyses the components ofparental consent procedures for surgical implantation oftheir child, covering the risk-benefit analysis and, in particular; the information base that is provided for parents about the social construction ofa 'Deaf life' by many Deafpeople.