May 6, 2011

Toronto Star
One Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5E 1E6
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Dear Editor,

On behalf of The Canadian Hearing Society I would like to take this opportunity to respond to Doctor Champions Cochlear Implants that appeared in the May 5 SickKids section of the Toronto Star.

The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) applauds SickKids Hospital for the tremendous work that it does. CHS also applauds advances made in cochlear implant technology. However, we do take exception to some of the conclusions attributed to Dr. Blake Papsin in this article.

It has been well-researched and documented that the ability to hear or not hear is not at the crux of a child’s sociability, education, employability and intelligence. On the contrary, it is a child’s language proficiency that provides the door to ongoing success in education and the world generally. When a child arrives at school with age-appropriate language, whether signed or spoken, he or she already has one of the most important tools for success.

Sincerely,

Chris Kenopic
President and CEO
The Canadian Hearing Society

See the published letter in the Toronto Star