Lupo JE, et al. - In this investigation, researchers thoroughly evaluated and characterized functional auditory performance in a group of adults with bilateral, moderate sloping to profound sensorineural hearing loss who were dissatisfied users of well-fit bilateral hearing aids and presented for cochlear implant assessment. Participants in the study were evaluated utilizing pure tone audiometry, aided speech understanding in quiet (CNC words) and in noise (AzBio sentences at +5 dB SNR) in the sound field with unilateral and bilateral hearing aids fit to target. Data reported that aided bilateral mean speech understanding scores were 28% for CNC words and 31% for AzBio sentences. Mean scale ratings for overall quality of life were 0.46 and functional hearing ability was 3.19. With overall hearing performance, 90% of participants reported dissatisfaction. Results of the evaluation, including functional performance metrics quantifying the deleterious effects of hearing loss on overall well-being, underline that bilateral hearing aids are not an effective treatment for people with bilateral, moderate sloping to profound sensorineural hearing loss. People with this degree of hearing impairment, who show poor aided speech understanding and dissatisfaction with hearing abilities in everyday life, need a timely referral to a Cochlear implant clinic for further assessment.