It's much, much more than "just nice to have"...
Have a look here... (there are more pages... just click on the picture..)
some
.. I know... It's by "Advanced Bionics" and it's a bit old...
Going "hearing nothing" to "hearing all sounds" is a huge improvement (for some.... *** ) and compared to that, bi-lateral CI might be small. But it is a great help for anyone that chooses it.
And... how is a HA going to help on the other side..... most CI-user are profoundly deaf on both sides.... If they would be able to hear as good with a HA on the other side.... most likely... they would not qualify for CI...
Knowing where sound comes from is a big thing. There's a big improvement in listening-abilities, and therefore less tiresome to learn / understand speech.
I experience it daily !!
Having two also means that in case of a malfunction on one side, there is always another side to continue hearing... That, I experienced only once or twice....
*** - CMA - "For some".. since of course they are plenty of people here that have the opinion that hearing is not a big deal... Don't want to disrespect those people..)
