Audiofuzzy, you're sounding like DrPhil who would not accept the fact that he is deaf with or without his CI.
My hearing loss is severe-to-profound. I wear power hearing aids and get along ok, though my speech discrimination is getting worse. I know, and accept, that I am deaf - late-deafened, but deaf nonetheless.
I will be evaluated next month for a CI. If I get one, I will still be deaf.
