As an audiologist who worked with cochlear implant recipients for 3 years , I would highly encourage you to find a neurotologist and see if you would be a good cochlear implant candidate. The audiologist will do more hearing tests with your hearing aids on to paint a picture of what your hearing looks like in the best case scenario and the doc will get a case history and workup to see if there are any reasons medically why the device would not be a good option for you.

In most circumstances, the testing won't tell you anything you don't already know. However, as others mentioned (and highlighted by the Charlie Brown "wamp wuh wamp" speech), when the hearing aids can't provide clarity of speech due to too much loss and distortion, THAT'S where cochlear implants shine.

Cochlear implants do not restore natural hearing by any means, but when you're starting with 0% word understanding, there's nowhere to go but up. Also, there are direct benefits of aural rehabilitation with cochlear implants. It's expected to see improvements in word scores over the first year, and it's very much a "you get out what you put in" mentality.

Scheduling an appointment is in no way making a decision, only getting information to see if it's an avenue worth exploring. Also if it's interesting, I'd suggest checking out r/Cochlearimplants or looking for cochlear implant facebook groups to learn more about the community. In some cases cochlear implant manufacturers will put on events locally to teach you more about CI's and bring in people who have them for a Q&A, we always encouraged our patients to go. Lots of good resources out there. Good luck!