I read a post on Deaf Read called Illinois Folks Speak Out for Hearing Aid Coverage. It is very informative and I suggest you take a look at the videos. These videos are of people talking about how hearing aids are a medical need, not cosmetic. Therefore, they should be covered by insurance.
I am all for it, of course.
It got me thinking about discussions people have of medical model vs.cultural model of deafness. The medical model focuses on how deafness is a disability and needs to be corrected and the cultural model focuses on deafness being a difference not a disability.
For me, I look at deafness with more of a medical model viewpoint. I view deafness as a disability for the most part (depending on the situation). I think about what degree of hearing loss someone has and also ways we can help the person function in the real world. I don't think it is just about "fixing" the hearing loss. It is also about ways of dealing with it so you can go out and communicate with people effectively, get a job, get around fine, etc. This could mean to learn sign language, learn how to lip read, get hearing aids, cochlear implants; whatever floats your boat.
Most hearing people have a medical model viewpoint, and this will probably always be the only way they will view deafness. They may look for "quick fixes" such as using cochlear implants. But, of course it is a lot more complicated than that. We can't just fix it. I think most people with the medical model perspective tend to be obsessed with the idea of fixing hearing loss. They would like to put a band aid on it and call it a day. But it is more than that. It is about learning to accept your hearing loss and finding ways to deal with it.
Many articles I found written by deaf people tend to favor the cultural model which they make obvious in their writing. I have a little bit of this viewpoint. I don't only think that deafness is a disability. There are times where my "disability" becomes an "ability." I think that I am lucky that I can choose not to hear at certain times (like when I need to sleep and it is noisy; I just sleep on my good ear and I am greeted by much needed quiet). I certainly don't think I am disabled at times like this.
I think it is important to consider both models. I keep both viewpoints in mind, but I still have more of a medical model viewpoint.
I can understand why many deaf people, particularly signing deaf people or anyone involved with Deaf culture would favor the cultural model. Because then the focus is off of their deafness, (why they are deaf, and how they can fix their hearing), onto themselves as people (what they can do, who are they, not just a person with deafness, deafness is not a disability, etc.).
However, after watching the videos from Hearing Aid 2008's blog, I realize how important it is to consider and accept the medical model of deafness.
Why is it important? Because if we are trying to get hearing aids covered by insurance what good is it to tell everyone that you do not have a disability?
Deafness is not a disability? Really? What if I am in a classroom of small children and I have to mediate various spoken discussions they are having? This would be a total nightmare for me. In this situation, I have a disability, especially if I do not wear hearing aids. I think a teacher with typical hearing would do a better job.
If you are deaf or have a hearing loss it makes sense to say that you have a disability. You are disabled if you are in situations where you need your hearing aid or when you rely on an interpreter. If you cannot function 100% on your own in certain situations because of your hearing loss, then yes it should be considered a disability.
If we focused more on the cultural model of deafness and expect others to not view deafness as a disability, then why should insurance companies take us seriously and consider hearing aids to be a medical need that should be covered by insurance?
Hearing aids are a medical necessity and they should be covered by insurance. Without my hearing aids I would struggle a great deal and would have to make a lot of changes in my life.
Which model do you agree with more? Are hearing aids medical necessities that should be covered by insurance?
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I am all for it, of course.
It got me thinking about discussions people have of medical model vs.cultural model of deafness. The medical model focuses on how deafness is a disability and needs to be corrected and the cultural model focuses on deafness being a difference not a disability.
For me, I look at deafness with more of a medical model viewpoint. I view deafness as a disability for the most part (depending on the situation). I think about what degree of hearing loss someone has and also ways we can help the person function in the real world. I don't think it is just about "fixing" the hearing loss. It is also about ways of dealing with it so you can go out and communicate with people effectively, get a job, get around fine, etc. This could mean to learn sign language, learn how to lip read, get hearing aids, cochlear implants; whatever floats your boat.
Most hearing people have a medical model viewpoint, and this will probably always be the only way they will view deafness. They may look for "quick fixes" such as using cochlear implants. But, of course it is a lot more complicated than that. We can't just fix it. I think most people with the medical model perspective tend to be obsessed with the idea of fixing hearing loss. They would like to put a band aid on it and call it a day. But it is more than that. It is about learning to accept your hearing loss and finding ways to deal with it.
Many articles I found written by deaf people tend to favor the cultural model which they make obvious in their writing. I have a little bit of this viewpoint. I don't only think that deafness is a disability. There are times where my "disability" becomes an "ability." I think that I am lucky that I can choose not to hear at certain times (like when I need to sleep and it is noisy; I just sleep on my good ear and I am greeted by much needed quiet). I certainly don't think I am disabled at times like this.
I think it is important to consider both models. I keep both viewpoints in mind, but I still have more of a medical model viewpoint.
I can understand why many deaf people, particularly signing deaf people or anyone involved with Deaf culture would favor the cultural model. Because then the focus is off of their deafness, (why they are deaf, and how they can fix their hearing), onto themselves as people (what they can do, who are they, not just a person with deafness, deafness is not a disability, etc.).
However, after watching the videos from Hearing Aid 2008's blog, I realize how important it is to consider and accept the medical model of deafness.
Why is it important? Because if we are trying to get hearing aids covered by insurance what good is it to tell everyone that you do not have a disability?
Deafness is not a disability? Really? What if I am in a classroom of small children and I have to mediate various spoken discussions they are having? This would be a total nightmare for me. In this situation, I have a disability, especially if I do not wear hearing aids. I think a teacher with typical hearing would do a better job.
If you are deaf or have a hearing loss it makes sense to say that you have a disability. You are disabled if you are in situations where you need your hearing aid or when you rely on an interpreter. If you cannot function 100% on your own in certain situations because of your hearing loss, then yes it should be considered a disability.
If we focused more on the cultural model of deafness and expect others to not view deafness as a disability, then why should insurance companies take us seriously and consider hearing aids to be a medical need that should be covered by insurance?
Hearing aids are a medical necessity and they should be covered by insurance. Without my hearing aids I would struggle a great deal and would have to make a lot of changes in my life.
Which model do you agree with more? Are hearing aids medical necessities that should be covered by insurance?
(e
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