Er...when I got mine, they explained to me, with few exceptions to the rule, that I would lose most if not all residual hearing. That was being the "price" (amongst other things) to pay for having a CI. So, I'm not sure what you are getting at about the hybrid CI array as it stands for a person such as myself at this point in time. In other words, it is a moot point for me now having my CI. Whatever the future holds for me by the way of newer and improved technology, my lack of residual hearing is irrelevant now. Obviously in respect to the hybrid, I can't really consider it but other things are being researched and CIs in general are going to get better and better. That will be my focus down the road.
Getting a CI is essentially an either/or proposition in regards to residual hearing (at least at this point in time). I guess it really comes down to the fact if one is successful with a CI, then the residual hearing becomes a moot point. On the other hand, if one isn't successful (depends on one's viewpoint), then not having that "lost" residual hearing really accentuates the "failure". I'm not sure I understand the whole issue of some people's angst about it as one is losing residual hearing no matter what.
