Priority 13 from the Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss PSP

UNCERTAINTY: What is the effect of the use or non-use of hearing aids on hearing abilities over time for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?  (JLA PSP Priority 13)
Overall ranking 13
JLA question ID 0033/13
Explanatory note Not available for this PSP
Evidence To follow
Health Research Classification System category Ear
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples

Does use of hearing aids increase hearing loss over time?  ~  How does hearing-aid use affect the progress of mild-moderate hearing loss?  ~  Is there a certain point where amplifying a mild-moderate hearing loss will actually do harm, --> speeding up the hearing loss process?  ~  Will a hearing aid slow down the process of hearing loss?  ~  Will using hearing aids all the time damage my residual hearing?  ~  Does the amplified sound produced by a hearing aid damage any part of our hearing? I listen to live symphony orchestras and am conscious of very loud sounds reaching my ear.  ~  Will the use of a hearing aid mean I will always be dependent on one  ~  Do hearing aids, especially ill-fitting noisy ones, make mild-moderate hearing loss worse? Do hearing aids help prevent further deterioration of hearing?  ~  Does excessive use of hearing aids, at high volume, increase hearing loss  ~  does use of hearing aid lead to deterioration  ~  Does wearing a hearing aid for most of the time can make you more dependent on it or make your hearing deteriorate faster  ~  Does hearing aid use protect residual hearing (due to stimulation of the auditory system)?  ~  Do hearing aids, especially ill-fitting noisy ones, make mild-moderate hearing loss worse? Do hearing aids help prevent further deterioration of hearing?  ~  Will my hearing get worse as time goes by because I don't wear my hearing aids?  ~  Is it best to delay hearing aids as long as possible?

Submitted by Service users x 12, Clinicians x 2, Others x 2
Outcomes to be measured Contribution to a change in hearing over time and/or dependency on use of hearing aid(s)/Contribution to a change in hearing over time/Dependency on use of hearing aid(s)/Prevention of deterioration of hearing loss/Benefit of delayed HA use                                 
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0033
PSP name Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 87  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 3 September 2015