Wired For Sound: A Journey Into Hearing

by Beverly Biderman

This classic book on deafness and cochlear implants, now available in a new edition that’s been revised and updated by the author. This rare “inside” account of hearing with a cochlear implant, the first effective artificial sensory organ ever developed, is a moving story about a deaf woman’s journey through deafness and into hearing. Praised by Oliver Sacks as “a beautiful account full of wonder and surprises,” this new edition brings the reader up to date on the technology, and more importantly, on the changes in Biderman’s life brought by her transformation. The Globe and Mail , naming the original version a “Globe 100”, called it “… a moving story of personal transformation, told with intelligence and a charmingly light touch, that should resonate with anyone who has undergone radical change.” Includes the voices of a wide range of deaf people talking about their deafness, and a balanced exploration of the explosive issues of the Deaf culture’s opposition to cochlear implants. Aimed at general readers who love a good memoir, but also a “must read” for anyone needing to make an informed choice about cochlear implants and for parents of deaf children, as well as teachers, doctors therapists, audiologists, and other professionals who work with those with a hearing loss. Detailed up-to-date appendix includes comprehensive listing of international resources on deafness and cochlear implants, plus an annotated reading list, and copious endnotes documenting current research in lay terms. Praise and Honors for Wired for Sound , first "... reads in line with the best of memoirs, one that leaves us wanting to hear her voice again."
—ForeWord "... beneath the surface there is a profound story here, one that tells about how society treats people who are different and how those individuals struggle to cope. ... the resource listings in the Appendix are worth the price of the book all by themselves."
—Robert V. Shannon, PhD., Research Professor, University of Southern California, Otolaryngology and Biomedical Engineering "... sometimes delightful, sometimes terrifying, often funny and poignant ... a beautiful account full of wonder and surprises."
—Oliver Sacks, M.D. "... a moving story of personal transformation, told with intelligence and a charmingly light touch, that should resonate with anyone who has undergone radical change."
—The Globe and Mail "... I cannot think of a better way to learn about the experience of cochlear implantation and the many issues surrounding this technology."
—ASHA Leader

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Andria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and beautifully written, learn about the struggles, personal and societal for a deaf person.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two things I really liked about this book: the author's ability to describe her experience of deafness and sound through experiences and events--it's a difficult task to explain lack of hearing to hearing readers--and her handling of the opposing views of cochlear implants. Especially the Deaf culture and their fight for identity as a subculture to be respected and protected, rather than a group of people with a disability. This is difficult to get your head around, the idea that someone would prefer to be deaf (that is, to sign rather than to hear with an implant), and would choose it for their children, but she just about makes me understand it. The information on technology is outdated because she got her implant and wrote the book in the 1990s--implants are much more compact and advanced now.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great introductory book for anyone interested in Cochlear implants.

The book chronicles the real-life story of a women born with a congenital hearing loss that eventually leaves her deaf. In the book she talks about how becoming deaf effected her and her family, what it was like to receive a Cochlear implant, and the ethical debate surrounding them.

The book was easy to read and I felt that all of the more complicated terms that author used were well defined so you won't need a dictionary sitting next to you to look up alien terms. There is also a great resources and additional readings section section in the back to help anyone interested in obtaining more information.

[Westcoast_girl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beverly Biderman writes a wonderful memoir about her own experiences with a cochlear implant. I found that she was honest and direct, yet very intimate about her struggles and triumphs.
However, one must remember that this is only a memoir with one point of view. The controversies surrounding cochlear implants are tremendous (consider watching 'Sound and Fury'), and devoting a single chapter to that issue seems negligent. Further, her reporting on such controversies (when she does cover them) are somewhat biased. And as a whole, this book covers more of Biderman's own experiences, rather than a comprehensive guide.
So enjoy the memoir, use it to expand you own views on the subject but don't stop here.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having always had problems with my ears related to allergies, I have always been interested in deafness. This is a wonderful personal story, but also a review of the controversy surrounding cochlear implants. I recommend it to all people who like biographies and memoirs, as well as anyone who comes in contact with the deaf community.