Which medical device was approved in 1985 that significantly changed lives in the Deaf community?

The approval of cochlear implants in 1985 marked a significant milestone in both medical technology and its impact on the Deaf community. Cochlear implants are electronic devices that provide a sense of sound to individuals who are profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. Unlike traditional hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

This innovation offered new possibilities for those who might not benefit from hearing aids. It opened up pathways to auditory experiences, enabling many recipients to perceive sounds and speech, which can enhance communication abilities and social interactions. For many in the Deaf community, the introduction of cochlear implants represented a shift in how deafness could be approached, often leading to discussions about identity, autonomy, and the various ways of being Deaf or hard of hearing.

Hearing aids, while important, were not the groundbreaking technology at that time; they had been in use long before 1985. Bone conduction devices serve specific needs but did not have the same widespread transformative effect as cochlear implants. Similarly, electronic larynxes are designed to assist those who have lost their voice, often due to surgery for laryngeal cancer, and are not directly related to the Deaf community in terms of