I am often asked “Will my hearing loss get worse?” The answer depends on what is causing the hearing loss. If you have lost hearing from being exposed to loud noise over long periods of time, removing yourself from that environment or consistently using ear protection may stop the progression of the loss. If your hearing loss comes from taking an ototoxic medication, then the progression may stop if you finish the course or are able to stop taking the medication (NEVER do so without first discussing with your physician!) If your hearing loss comes from normal aging, then the loss will likely continue to progress as you age.
The other question I am often asked is “Will wearing hearing aids prevent my hearing from getting worse?” The answer to that is no. Your hearing loss will do what it is going to do whether you wear hearing aids or not. However, using hearing aids keeps the brain stimulated and may keep you more attentive to the sounds and conversations going on around you. Brain stimulation is important for cognitive function.
Call Gardner Audiology today to schedule an appointment at one of our 8 locations. Call 800-277-1182 or schedule online at www.gardneraudiology.com, or message info@gardneraudiology.com.
