Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Advance Access originally published online on August 28, 2007
The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education 2008 13(2):306; doi:10.1093/deafed/enm047
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Shopping for Perfection: Ethics and Deafness in the 21st Century
Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre & City University London
M. Hintermair (Ed.) (2007). Ethik und Hörschädigung: Reflexionen über gelingendes Leben unter erschwerten Bedingungen in unsicheren Zeiten [Ethics and Deafness: Reflections on Living a Life under Difficult Conditions in Insecure Times]. Heidelberg: Median-Verlag. 536 pages. Hardcover. EUR 87.
In a world of vast progressing technologies and genetic breakthroughs that allow us to minimize our own weaknesses, while, at the same time, provide us with the power to create new life based on our preferences, we are at risk of losing some of the qualities that make us human. Driven by the prospects of a future society that is no longer hindered by flaws, we tend to overlook the needs of those whose access to a satisfying life may be limited. By giving an overview of the many elements required to achieve this satisfaction for individuals with a hearing loss, the presented book makes for a stimulating "wake-up call."
The volume is divided into several parts each of which has a different focus. One part takes a critical look at the perception of ethics and hearing loss in the 21st century, a second discusses questions related to ethical actions related to hearing loss, and a third addresses ethical challenges at different stages in the lives of individuals with a hearing loss. Most of the chapters are written by hearing contributors. A fourth part focuses on the experiences and perspectives of individuals with a hearing loss. The volume is completed by an epilogue in which the authors reflect on changes regarding the situation for individuals with a hearing loss over the past decades and also look at possible developments that may lie ahead.
As would be expected from such a large volume with contributors coming from very different backgrounds, the value of single chapters varies depending on the background of the reader. Some of the information presented in this book may not seem new to those well acquainted with the particular field (e.g., language acquisition). However, this is not the primary intention of the book; instead, it wants to make visible to readers the many facets of life with a hearing loss by combining different perspectives each of which represent a small piece in a larger picture. In this effort, the discussed topics are accessible to a diverse group of readers (e.g., students, parents, educators) with different levels of knowledge on hearing loss.
Some of the 23 chapters leave the reader wishing for a more elaborated approach, for example, how to work with parents (deaf or hearing) from diverse backgrounds, who do not communicate with the school/support team? What motivates a deaf person growing up in the Deaf Community with sign language as main means of communication to get a Cochlea Implant as adult? Furthermore, while the book primarily targets individuals with a hearing loss in Germany, it also contains contributions from the United States. In this context, it would have been interesting to include additional countries (with particular regard to the changing character of a constantly growing Europe) and compare some of the issues discussed to see whether they transpire across cultures. At the same time, a comparison with countries known to be very progressive concerning the special needs of individuals with a hearing loss (e.g., Sweden) might have provided additional insights. Of course, there are always constraints that impose limits on a publication like this.
Notwithstanding some of the drawbacks mentioned, the book shows value in two ways: To those without prior exposure to the subject of hearing loss, it can be seen as a good introduction, while for others, familiar with some topics, it may raise attention to related areas that are lesser known. As such, it makes a useful addition to the reader's literature list.
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