One Size Continues to Not Fit All

Abstract

Sensory Futures describes “the complex dependencies associated with cochlear implantation” (p. 29) in India, among a wide range of stakeholders, with a significant focus on the families and the concept of “becoming normal” (p. 2). Sensory Futures begins with a thought-provoking Introduction and includes five chapters (for this reviewer, Chapter 2: Mothers’ Work and Chapter 5: Becoming Normal were most compelling). The book ends with a reflective Conclusion about the author’s Individual Education Plan as a student and insightful “trajectories” of five deaf children (pp. 205–212). Throughout the chapters, Friedner includes descriptions of cochlear implant manufacturers, school programs in India, the work of governmental agencies, and information from assorted clinicians, therapists, and surgeons. The author’s poignant stories, addressing primarily the mothers of deaf children, receive the most attention throughout the text. Although the “twain may never meet,” families must be provided unbiased and informed information about the communication choices and the technology available. Cochlear implants can provide audibility, however, access to sound or detection is far from auditory comprehension. And, Friedner rightly cautions that for persons in deaf culture, there is nothing to be “fixed” or “normalized.” A CI is only a device with the real work in the follow-up. The post-activation journey can follow various paths—for some, learning to listen for the development of spoken language; for others, learning multisensory approaches; and for others, learning sign language. The challenge is that families are not consistently provided information about all their options, and no one can promise a guaranteed outcome for any child.