"I also think that wholegarment knits look kind of cheap and that sewing actually adds structural integrity and durability to a garment."
This is an ongoing discussion in the handknitting community. Knitters generally hate seaming (we're not sewers!) so the most popular patterns tend to be seamless. However, many argue that this leads to shapeless, saggy garments that aren't as wearable.
I used to have this problem until I was given the tip to tense various muscles throughout my body during the process. Do not listen to the nurses who tell you to relax!
Two things that we use for my son's CI are a cable wrap, which gives the cable a bit of reinforcement, and what we call the "eagle claw" - a little plastic hook that goes on the bottom and hooks around the ear lobe to give it a bit more stability.
We had to wear those, too. Our son is deaf, so he would just scream as loud as he possibly could. I knew that I would end up with hearing loss also if I didn’t protect myself.