Luis Alberto Fernandez, a colleague from inclusive employer Avanade, shares his experience of having Cochlear Implants, being deaf in the workplace, and how his colleagues can support him.
Luis’ Story
I opted for cochlear implant surgery as an adult; the technology wasn’t as sophisticated when I was younger. Over the years my hearing loss progressed, and hearing aids were no longer effective, so I chose the implant. It was a tough decision, but I have zero regrets.
The way a cochlear implant allows you to hear is not like hearing naturally. It is not a “cure” for deafness, since getting rid of the external part – if, say, you want to sleep – means going back to silence. Also, the adaptation process is lengthy and requires auditory rehabilitation to learn or relearn how to interpret sounds. The time this takes is based on the auditory memory each individual had previously.
Rehabilitation is not a smooth road; it is difficult and demanding and requires perseverance and determination. These skills not only help through this phase but act as a building block through every other challenge in life, whether personal or work-related.
What Is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is a tiny, complex electronic device that enables people with profound deafness or severe hearing loss to hear. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, the implant converts sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve directly.
*Evenbreak recognises that Cochlear Implants are an individual choice.
Cochlear Implants are controversial within the deaf community as they can be seen as a ‘cure’ and oppose the fact that there is a Deaf culture. Some in the deaf community are proudly culturally Deaf, with no need to have hearing, due to communicating using sign language or other communication approaches.
There is a long history of oppression of Deaf culture since the Milan Conference in 1880. The eugenics movements sought to eradicate deafness through forced sterilization, and deaf children were often institutionalised. Oralism, the practice of teaching deaf people to speak and lip-read instead of using sign language, was widespread. Some in the deaf community are opposed to the use of a Cochlear Implant, believing that the person is trying to become ‘hearing’ and thereby denying their deaf identity. Find out more about Deaf Culture.*
The Deaf Community
Luis: I truly value the recognition of the Deaf community’s history and its fight for identity and culture, while also believing it’s essential to honor each individual’s choice. Everyone’s journey is unique – some may choose a cochlear implant, while others fully embrace their Deaf identity without it. Both paths are completely valid and deserve respect, without division. Instead of focusing on differences, we should unite to build a more inclusive world. The diversity within the Deaf community is a real strength, and through mutual respect, we can move forward together. I also want to mention that I belong to the Deaf community and actively participate in initiatives that support and promote it.
Tips for New Cochlear Implant Recipients
If you are starting out on the cochlear implant journey, here are some tips from my own experience:
- Be patient – the process of adapting and making progress takes time
- Enjoy the learning curve – your brain needs time to adjust to how you perceive sound differently
- Be consistent
- Just like any other learning, small daily improvements add up to big benefits over time. This philosophy is congruent to Atomic Habits by James Clear. All you need is to be just 1% better each day, and you’ll go a long way from there
- Feel free to request accommodations. Technologies such as live captions or speech-to-text programs can greatly facilitate communication
- Have supportive people in your life. Good co-workers, family, and friends make all the difference.
Being deaf in the Workplace
With the cochlear implant, I am now more able to take part in many more conversations at work. However, understanding can still be difficult, especially if someone speaks too fast or has an unfamiliar accent.
At my place of work, Microsoft Teams has made a world of difference. I use its live captions for meetings and video calls, which helps me follow conversations and pick up crucial details. This is just one example of how small tweaks lead to a more inclusive workplace.
How Can You Support a deaf Colleague?
Put yourself in a foreign country. If a stranger spoke too quickly with an accent you couldn’t place, you’d get lost. This is how a cochlear implant can process sound. If a person with a cochlear implant works with you, here are some helpful reminders:
- Speak up if you have a question. If you are wondering about the device, you can ask! I embrace questions because I think questions elevate awareness, which creates context
- Cochlear implants are not superpowers. I don’t have “bionic” hearing, I still depend on lip-reading and context in many situations
- Speak to me while facing me for better lip-reading
- Reduce background noise when you can, particularly in open office layouts or loud settings, like restaurants or construction sites
- Use accessibility features, such as live captions in Teams or, where available, speech-to-text transcription
- If I don’t understand something, repeat the phrase if necessary
- Keep calm, do not exaggerate
- And most importantly, be patient.
With these few simple things in mind, we can encourage better communication and more inclusiveness.
Useful Tools
At work, videoconferencing products such as Microsoft Teams were lifesavers. Features like live captions and speech-to-text transcription help me follow conversations more easily. These tools aren’t always perfect, but they do matter.
If anything isn’t clear, I ask for clarification and encourage others to do so, as well. Ask questions, never be afraid! Communication is a two-way effort, so cultivating patience, understanding, and empathy makes the workplace more welcoming for all.
Awareness and inclusivity help everyone, and you can make small changes in communication with a big impact.
Thank you for reading.
Take care,
Luis Alberto Fernandez
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Explore more articles with Evenbreak: Do You Know These 7 Misconceptions About D/deafness?
