I am deeply grateful for your words. It has been just over a year since I received my cochlear implant. Thanks to you, I learned for the first time today that this methodology is not yet mature enough to be used in clinical practice. I started this because I wanted to understand the sounds of the world I now hear, but there is still so much I don't know. That is why I am actively participating in and collaborating on cochlear implant research in Korea as much as I can. I also sincerely thank you for your dedication to advancing science.

Thanks for posting. If you have time to write some more thoughts on those limits and individual strategies I'm sure it would be interesting to many of us here.

Is there any research into other ways to 'get sound into the brain', generally speaking? If so: some pointers would be much appreciated.

After being hard-hearing since early childhood (bad living conditions -> tuberculosis -> ototoxic antibiotic, streptomycine iirc), my mum had a CI for a # of years. But due to infections, it got removed at some point. Since then I've always wondered if there's other routes to get sound into the brain. Say, using vibrations on the skin. Or an electrode-stuffed 'helmet' of sorts.

Even if temporary, it can be a life-changing experience for someone who's never experienced sound.

Any research in that direction?

I have history of hearing losss and a more recent episode of bilateral SSHL post viral infection with relatively decent recovery. I am left me with deficient sloping loss in the high frequencies 50-60 db. I wonder if the day will come when I will need CI. So far I can manage but since medically no doc is able to point out the cause of the loss I’m starting to familiarize myself with them. I hope progress is being made on CI front and the regenerative one as well