Cochlear Implants and Deaf Identity: Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography

Primary Sources

AudismFreeAmerica. "AUDISM FREE AMERICA." : July 2013. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.

Ringo, Allegra. "Understanding Deafness: Not Everyone Wants to Be 'Fixed'"The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 9 Aug. 2013. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.

Secondary Sources

Bramwell, Ros, Harrington, Frank, and Harris, Jennifer. “Deafness – disability or linguistic minority?”  British Journal of Midwifery, vol 8., no. 4. 2013.

                Article (potentially serious or peer-reviewed): identity.  This unique standpoint analyzed by Bramwell and others explores the idea of looking at deafness as a linguistic minority instead of a disability.  The authors cite division within the deaf community, definition of “disability,” and labeling as the driving force by particular British Sign Language Users (BSL).  The audience includes all deaf women and medical professionals and has important implications on medical classifications in the UK. (I should note that I am not entirely convinced of the peer-review process on this paper: it was found on the UA Library site, but the link was broken and the actual article, found via Google Scholar, does not impress upon me the idea of a peer-reviewed process).

Branson, Jan, and Miller,  Don. Damned for Their Difference : The Cultural Construction of Deaf People as Disabled  : A Sociological History. Washington, US: Gallaudet University Press, 2002. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 25 October 2016.

                Book: community/identity and historical.  In their historical analysis, Branson and Miller explore the reason behind discriminatory treatment of deaf individuals. They accomplish this by taking a broader approach and analyze cultural, social and historical context. The purpose is to change how the general public views the “disabled” and attempts to distinguish disability as a constriction that is imposed by the surrounding culture. Although this book explores the social injustices of those in Britain, the audience can be broadened to sociologists and anthropologists that study the cultural construction of “disabling practices” anywhere.

Christiansen, John B, and Barnartt, Sharon N. Deaf president now: the 1988 revolution at Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University Press. Washington, D.C. 1995.

                Book: historical context, other similar protests, and identity. This book is a first-hand historical account to paint a vivid picture the Deaf President Now protest that occurred in March 1988 in Washington, D.C.  Christiansen and Barnartt accomplish this by exploring the historical and cultural context.  The purpose is to provide significant information about the protest with the hopes of education of the intended audience: deaf individuals and students in deaf studies programs. The authors are able to accomplish this comprehensive historical review with comparison to deaf oppression by using emotional and opinionated language paired with historical fact.

Christiansen, John B, and Leigh, Irene. Cochlear implants in children: ethics and choices. 2002. Ebrary. Web.

                Book: theoretical, community/identity, and potentially protest. The library link to this book is taking me to a different article (ironically the Branson one that I will also end up using) so I am having a very difficult time finding it.  A revised precis will be incoming as soon as I get a chance to read the actual book (the only other sources are reviews on the book).

Eckert, Rowley. “Audism: A Theory and Practice of Audiocentric Privelege.” Humanity & Society, vol. 37, no. 2, 2013, pp. 101-130.

                Artictle: theoretical.  In their article, Eckert and Rowley argue for a change in individual, institutional, metaphysical and laissez-faire prejudices toward deaf individuals.  In order to make their argument, Eckert and Rowley present four recommendations including multiculturalism, equity, intercultural responsibility, and ethical citizenship and frame their argument around the coined word, “audism.” The purpose is to provide tools that will improve both public and scientific understanding of audism and various forms of discrimination.  The authors audience includes those in Deaf Cultural Studies, sociology, and individuals and institutions and is effective by providing historical context, an emotional introduction and solid theoretical language throughout.

Greenwald, Brian H. "Taking Stock: Alexander Graham Bell and Eugenics, 1883-1922.", 2007.

                Book chapter (various): historical. In a chapter in the book, The Deaf History Reader compiled by John Van Cleve, Greenwald gives examination to Alexander Graham Bell’s involvement in deaf rights.  He does this by contrasting both his support of eugenics and his defense of Deaf rights. Although the book is available in the library, I have not yet rented it to get an idea beyond his thesis and how he aims to show it.

H-Dirksen L. Bauman. “Audism: Exploring the Metaphysics of Oppression.” Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, vol. 9, no. 2, 2004, pp. 239-246.

                Article: theoretical.  Similar to the article written by Eckert, this entry by Bauman H-Dirksen from Gallaudet university defines the oppression suffered by deaf individuals as individual, institutional, and metaphysical. H-Dirksen analyzes audism by referencing “phonocentrism,” an idea and term coined by French philosopher, Jacques Derrida.  The purpose is to gain a better understanding of the prevalence of individual and institutional audism through the lens of Derrida’s arguments. H-Dirksen uses elements of ethos to establish himself as a credible source (citing historical arguments, common philosophical terms and openly establishing his contributions at Gallaudet University) before logically guiding his readers through the Audism. The immediate audience is the scholarly but the results of his logical arguments can be applied to almost any curious individual.

Hull, Raymond H., ed. Aural rehabilitation. Singular Publishing Group, 1992.

                Book: historical and theoretical. Raymond Hull’s book reviewed by Penn State claims that the effects of hearing impairment are overlooked when it comes to rehabilitation and counseling. In order to prove his thesis, the book provides sufficient historical data followed by concise outlines of both theoretical and practical information in order to properly serving distinct age groups suffering from hearing impairment. This book appears informative and logical enough to be understood by any number of varying audiences so further work is needed to determine whether this is instructional to rehab facilities or simply informational.

James, Susan Donaldson, and Huang, Grace. “Deaf and Proud to Use Sign Language.” ABC News. 12 December, 2006.

                Popular news online article: identity/other. In an examination of various statistics and quotes, James and Huang outline deaf pride in opposition of cochlear implants.  The bulk of opinion is derived from quotes by Lizzie Sorkin, a deaf individual whose ideas appear to resonate with the greater deaf community.  The purpose of the article is to inform the general reader of the reasons behind deaf pride (or deaf culture).

Kolb, Rachel. “The Deaf Body in Public Space.” The New York Times. 28 December, 2016.

                Serious news article: identity.  The article by Rachel Kolb explores the idea of the social tension formed by a “signing body.” Kolb is deaf and relates personal stories and opinions to give insight and to tell a story. She uses emotional language and deep personal insecurities to illustrate that the visual nature of sign language can often be alarming to hearing people but that it should not be. Her audience is the general public reading the NY Times with a special emotional connection for deaf individuals who can sympathize with her stories.

Mauldin, Laura. Made to Hear : Cochlear Implants and Raising Deaf Children. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2016. Ebook Library. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.

                Book: community/identity. Laura Mauldin compiles a sensitive consideration regarding the “structure and culture of the systems we have built to make deaf children hear.” Mauldin uses interviews with families whose children have cochlear implants to explore the practical logistics of maneuvering through the medical system to perform surgery on young children.  In order to make an emotional case, Mauldin elects to forego the controversy and politics of the issue and instead focus on the validity of science, a mothers’ choice, and social consequences. The arguments are made to inform deaf parents and medical professionals by considering what is socially acceptable.

Mauldin, Laura. “Precarious Plasticity: Neuropolitics, Cochlear Implants, and the Redefinition of Deafness.” Science, Technology & Human Values, vol. 39, no. 1, 2014, pp. 130-156

                Article: identity and potentially theory (other). Laura Mauldin recognizes a shift from sensory loss “to a neurological processing problem.” She explores the importance of this by looking at neurological training and therapy that attempts to “train the brain” when in reality, the technology is defective.  The shift has unfairly categorized deaf individuals and Mauldin’s purpose is to expose the confusion.  Buried in deep academic language and medical terminology, Mauldin’s article looks at science and technology to inform an educated audience effectively (including medical professionals and those involved in what she names as “neuropolitics”).

Walsh, Kathy. “New Cochlear Implant Technology Gives Deaf People A ‘New Ear.’” CBS Denver. 6 January, 2016.

                Popular news online article: identity/other. This popular local news source credits new technology as a gateway to a better, more connected life.  The story documents Shortridge’s history being “deaf” and his new-found success being able to hear in order to emphasize the “endless possibilities” now made possible by the cochlear implant.  Although originally aired in Denver, this source has cycled the internet to be viewed by a general audience.

Waltzman, Susan B.; Roland, J. Thomas. Cochlear Implants. New York: Thieme, 2014. Ebook Library. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.

Book: Community/identity. The authors of the book, Cochlear Implants, Susan Waltzman and Thomas Roland, seek to inform medical professionals and students about the scientific development surrounding cochlear implant technology. They do this by performing a comprehensive examination of current and upcoming technology.  The purpose is to be informative from the standpoint of medicine.  Waltzman and Roland write this book as a reference to otolaryngologists, audiologists, speech pathologists, neurotologists and audiology students by emphasizing scientific language and analysis.

Wrigley, Owen. The politics of deafness. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press, 1996.

Book: identity.  Wrigley explores the politically correct classifications for the deaf in his book, The politics of deafness. Although I know Wrigley’s purpose, I need more information to see how he effectively relates deaf sentiment and political correctness.