Sure. I started wearing hearing aids a dozen years ago and put them in when I wake up and take them out when I go to bed. They help but it’s not perfect, as you know.
When my left ear tanked my first AuD discouraged the idea of a CI- she thought I was not bad enough yet. The ENT also said I should wait. However, when I did research I realized neither of them are up to date on the progress CIs have made. It is not longer a “wait until you can’t hear at all” decision. I saw another AuD who works with a university and she put me through to Vanderbilt which is a leading CI center.
The surgeon at Vanderbilt had no brand preference at all. Said they all do the job if the patient puts the work into rehab. He also encouraged me to get it sooner than later while I still had some natural hearing to help the rehab. I also don’t have any other health issues which he said can factor in success. He indicated about a 50/50 chance that I would retain my residual good hearing post surgery.
My new AuD who works with a lot of CI patients said the short electrode is an option but hearing generally gets worse, so if I would lose what good hearing remained in my CI ear, I would have to be reimplanted for the CI to help on my lower frequencies.
I believe all the companies have the option to use an acoustic piece to help if you have residual hearing left after surgery. I chose AB after researching because I like that they are part of the same company that offers Phonak HAs and they have an HA that pairs directly with the CI. I also understand that AB electrode system has extra capacity to handle new advances going forward. I don’t understand this myself but have seen it in some research. I also like that I won’t have to use a separate accessory to have hands free blue tooth to my CI and HA. AB does this well. They do not offer and off ear processor option, but that is not important to me.
I too worry about being deaf for a bit after surgery, but I will have my other ear with hearing aid until things start to make sense with my CI. I worry more about NOT getting the CI and having my “good” ear tank suddenly like my bad one did.
Sorry for the lengthy response.