@ameliabrinker You are getting good information from FL Mary, so I won't go there with similar information. My HL was diagnosed when I was 22 years old. I suspect it was there in my teens, but not serious enough to notice it. The medical doctors who diagnosed it said there was no known cause, and also no solution. That was in the 1960s. A lot has changed since then.

Today I benefit from a cochlear implant and a hearing aid that work together.

My experience after diagnosis was that my ability to hear declined gradually. By the time I was in my mid-30s I was struggling. Hearing aids had improved by then and I was fitted with one; only one. I should have been fitted with two. Time passed, I discovered hearing assistive technology that helped me beyond that hearing aid. Today's tech is superior to what I used. When getting hearing aids I strongly recommend you insist on telecoils and BlueTooth. Ask about remote microphones and other devices that bring sound directly to your personal hearing aids. They can keep you in the hearing mainstream. Unfortunately, providers do not always share this information as it takes time. It should be demonstrated, not just mentioned.

Most important, take care of the hearing that you have. Stay away from loud noises unless you use professionally fit ear plugs. Excess noise can exacerbate hearing loss. I know that exposure to loud sounds including rock music, hunting with my father, and teaching in a loud gymnasium likely moved me forward on the hearing loss spectrum faster than if I had not been exposed to those loud sounds. We know that excess noise is the most common cause of hearing loss. Also, that it is a preventable cause. Protect the hearing you have!

Take care and think positive. Today's research has made a positive difference. Tomorrow's research may ultimately find a way to regrow the hair cells in the cochlea that are gradually destroyed as hearing loss becomes more pronounced.

Good luck to you. You are wise to be asking questions now.