Hearing Loss - Serious Question

[southernJP]

This may seem like a foolish question, but do you grind your teeth? (Bruxism) If so, it can effect your hearing thru the years. Talk with your dentist. If it goes untreated, a hearing aid will be useless. Unfortunatly, I went untreated. I am now totally deaf in my left ear, and 75 percent deaf in my right ear.

[MaryJohnson]

Hi,
Protect your hearing at all cost. Like all things, you don't know what it's worth until it's gone.
If you are not sure, or comfortable, with your Doctor's initial diagnosis, seek another opinion.
Also, do you feel that the level of hearing loss you have is effecting your life in any way? Does it effect your ability to go about your life normally?
As to what can be done, that depends very much on what has/is causing the hearing loss.
I can say with intimate knowledge, once your hearing has gone, there is very little that can be done to return it to "normal".
I lost my hearing extremely suddenly and unexpectedly after getting a cold. The infection was that devastating, it just about completely destroyed the delicate hair folicles in my cochlear. I was given rapid steroid treatment, to try to stimulate some healing and growth, with very limited results.
I was fitted with 2 hearing aids, which gave me little benefit. I have since received a cochlear implant, and responding very well to my new way of hearing. All this has happened in the past 18 months.
But...it is not as good as natural hearing.
Most adults, in Australia it is about 1 in 6, have some level of hearing loss, and most know nothing about it.
My advise to you is simple.
If you aren't happy or sure, ask another professional, and keep asking until you understand, and accept, the diagnosis.
Protect and treasure what you have, and be aware of any change, no matter how small. If anything does change, see a specialist. Quick treatment can mean the world of difference.
Please value the fact that you CAN still hear, there are so many others out there who cannot.
All the best...