I believe you meant “aren’t worth less”... again I’m not deaf but the amount of things deaf people I’ve interacted with over the years can pick up on that us hearing people can’t still astounds me a decade later. Most don’t want the implant (agreeing with your identity point here) - I’ve had headphones where I’ve almost been hit by city buses because I couldn’t hear them and it was scary but I had an alternative I wanted. I fully agree hearing aids (for partially deaf) or the implant should be a CHOICE made by the individual themselves but I refuse to believe it’s a deficiency in them.

My ADD doesn’t compare, its still a disability but I wouldn’t want Ritalin or Adderall or etc forced on me and only agreed to start medication for that a decade ago. Might have jumped off topic there...