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https://www.ifixit.com/News/74164/cochlear-implant-users-face-grim-future-without-repair-or-upgrades>
"Vikas is a child living in India who was born deaf. At age four, he received
both surgery and a cochlear implant as part of a government program. Those who
qualify for the program include migrants and daily wage earners with limited
financial resources. Without access to this program, the participants would be
unlikely to gain access to the medical procedure or the device to develop their
hearing.
The program has been praised for enabling more access to hearing-related
devices, but unfortunately for its beneficiaries, it is now reaching a new
phase as the devices age. After four years with the implant, the manufacturer
informed Vikas’ parents that the “basic” model they had been using was becoming
obsolete and would no longer be serviced by the company.
Cochlear implants are small devices that enable hearing for audibly-impaired
individuals and are different from hearing aids.
The family would have to purchase a new device, described as a “compulsory
upgrade.” Without the means for such an upgrade, and thanks to repair
restrictions on existing implants, families are left to face the reality of
their children losing their hearing. Dr. Michele Friedner, a scholar studying
the intersection of anthropology, technology, and disability says:
Cochlear implants cannot be tinkered with or repaired outside of the
official cochlear implant corporation facilities, making people completely
dependent on the device makers.
Those without the money to purchase this upgrade (those who participate in this
program are low-income earners, after all) are left with two options: maintain
their current devices without any help from the manufacturer or expect to lose
their hearing."
Via Rixty Dixet.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
