Yes, but not enough was known about implants in 1994 for me to rush and get her one. I did nto know she was deaf until July 94. And I did not know what was causing the seizures. I was not going to take any chances.
I work for the federal govt and Cochlear Implant surgery was not covered until 2001 or 2002 under Office of Personnel Managment rules. Believe it was under Bush that the CI surgery was finally covered. But I checked every year, for that and hearing aids, when the plans came up for renewal.
You may find it interesting that House Ear Clinic, when I called in 2002, basically told me to go pound sand when I inquired about an implant for her. Seems as though a signing kid might not do as well with an implant as one who grew up "oral". So I hung up and called UCLA and got into their CI Program. I think she has done well with the CI and within a year, was using phrases like "I see the blue bus", could recognize colors, numbers, and the ling sounds. UCLA"s implant program for us was outstanding.
I'm quite shocked that you got that response from the House Clinic. They might not have said it in so many words, but attending a "deaf school" is a contraindication. They've seen too many kids go through the CI process and then stop wearing the device due to peer pressure. I know the House Clinic really well and am sitting here shaking my head at your experience. So sorry.