@cfr70 my left ear has been severe profound since birth as well. I can still hear low frequencies unaided on that side, but it’s a struggle. When I went for my assessment and saw the CI surgeon he said no he won’t do my left ear first. Simply because it had been over 7 decades as it is now. He couldn’t give me any sort of guarantee that it would be a successful operation.
After my right ear was a tremendous success he asked me if I wanted my left done as well. I pondered and researched this for 6 months, quizzed other recipients, and asked the question on the boards here as well.
I decided against going bilateral, until such time my left ear declines more. I’m fully resigned to the fact that I might have to get it done eventually, but not now.
To answer your other question regarding my bimodal heating. When I have both my devices on I can understand 94% of what’s being said to me. And 88% with just my Ci processor on.