I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut, but I give up. The Sound of Metal is getting lots of press, but I am concerned about the message it is giving about cochlear implants.
Yes, when CI’s get turned on they may not sound like speech but, with practice, it gets better and most adults who lost hearing feel that they really benefit from the sound of cochlear implants within a few months. For this young man to give up after a very short trial is giving a very bad message. I am concerned what parents of newly identified babies will feel when watching this movie in addition to what adults who loose their hearing will feel.
People keep asking me if that is what CI’s really sound like. In addition, I am concerned about the message, that this young man needed to move into a community of deaf people and leave those he loves outside. How can that support someone who is in crisis?
This may be a good movie, but it is not an accurate description of learning to use a CI and it is not doing a good job of helping people with hearing loss.
*Image credit Amazon