Didn't have the issue with hearing aids, but definitely do with CI's. As I explain it, with hearing aids you can still hear. I cannot hear with CI, I can only listen. In communications and audiology its called passive listening and active listening. Passive listening means you don't have to think about or focus on something to hear it. For example someone may call your name in a group or make a comment to someone else that is not directed at you, yet you hear and understand it. that is passive listening or as I call it hearing. Active listening is actually focusing on the sound or what is being said. that is active listening, or as I call it listening. Hence it takes much more effort to constantly listen than it does to hear.