cmkellner23 - Fortunately, I think your worries are needless. I used a hearing aid until my hearing went down too far and in 12/2018, got a CI. (My other ear became deaf earlier.) If my CI didn't work, I had more to lose, since I did not have another hearing ear. And yes, before the surgery, I worried as you are doing about the results. I think the sooner you get a CI the better. Rather than see the CI as your last option, I would see it as a potentially exciting option which it turned out to be for me. You do have 2 ears don't you? So you would get 1 CI at a time. Why not consult with a neurosurgeon and discuss your concerns and questions? (I did that.) I probably did that about 3 times before I was ready to leap!