@davekoh ,

The process of hearing is different as the nerves are stimulated rather than amplifying sound like a hearing aid does. That doesn't mean that things will sound different in the long run. They may start off mechanical or like Mickey Mouse, but over time your brain will normalize what things sound like.

Your discrimination ought to be much improved compared to poor discrimination with your current hearing aid, but it may not be instant and may take effort to get there.

Dennis

I was like you; using a hearing aid on one side, and the other side was nearly deaf. I had been fit with only one aid years before, when I probably should have been fitted with two. Consequently, that unaided ear had sensory deprivation. In 2005 I decided to go for a CI. I was qualified. The medical team suggested doing the aided ear, rather than the ear with sensory deprivation. I was unwilling to lose what I already had, but was willing to take the chance on the poorer ear. That's what I did. Today, nearly 15 years later, I am still bimodal with a CI and a HA. They work well together. That poorer ear has done remarkably well with the CI. I will say that someone from HLAA suggested a few years prior to my CI surgery, that I try using a headset with an audio device on the poorer ear, and to use it in a rehabilitation effort. I did that for 2 years; listening to music, audio tapes, etc. I found that I could not hear speech well without total concentration, but I could enjoy music in a quiet setting. It was a bit like training the ear to hear again even though it never came close to giving me what I was getting with the aided ear. So, long story short. I'm glad I had the CI done on the poorer ear. I'm glad I still am able to use the HA. I know the hearing acuity on that HA ear has become a lot worse and probably qualifies for a CI now, but I'm still scoring high in testing with both technologies, so have put that off. The CI has been nothing short of a miracle for me. I'm very thankful. PS: The add on devices that come with the Cochlear products are incredible. I use the Mini Mic 2+ in most social settings where there is background noise. I hear quite well on the cell phone so don't use the phone clip. Life is good
!

I have an implant in my right ear and use my HA in my left. The two are linked and controlled by my iPhone. Hearing is different with the Cochlear Processor but I rigorously train - even now a year later. With the help of my HA, I feel that the cochlear is such a gift. I can understand my grandkids, listen to music enjoyably, heart the TV, talk to merchants, use the phone on my own. You can read my journey here - My Cochlear Journal.