I wish you well with the assessment @craftycrocheter… It has been many years since I suffered with distortion, when MD (Meniers Disease) was at its hight…I do have several dead spots though, but I hear well considering my level of loss, I put this down to always being aided, I never lost the ability to process sound…I have the new Naida Lumity 90 UP on a free trial at the moment, and things are looking up… Good luck with your assessment, hopefully you will get your CI’s… Cheers Kev 
You’re ignoring this member’s posts.
although i am still not really 100% sure about it all if i am honest. I have, somehow, managed to live without being aided for so many years but it certainly has not helped me in the long run! Like you said, you have always worn your aids so you know what letters/words sound like but I did not do myself any favours. I am still unsure. I have to get these hearing aids adjusted any way as the set up is worse than what I had before. HF sounds that were loud and clear, are now too quiet… feels like I am wearing my hearing aids without batteries in 
Cheers Kev