David,

My understanding of the issue is that its like when they treat kids for lazy eye by patching the good eye to force the bad eye to work. I don't think you are in danger of losing your entire hearing but it does cause your hearing to continue to deteriorate. Please don't take my word for it but, as I know you will, do investigate your hearing loss with a reputable audiologist or otolaryngologist.

The newer technologies in hearing augmentation are so good, they can customize hearing aids to your particular type of hearing loss and give you much better hearing even in a crowded room or in the wind, for instance.

It has made all the difference in Bill's life although it did not take care of the "selective hearing" that occurs with him frequently . In that case, I just yell louder!