An update here: I elected to avoid the invasive procedure. After a long delay, I and the audiologist got insurance approval to get the SoundArc by Cochlear. I am quite happy with it. Hugely better than the in canal aid I started with... and no surgery. The device has a two year warranty, including one free replacement if it is lost or stolen. For me (I have unilateral conductive hearing loss), it's pretty ideal.