Hearing aids have output limiters and when programmed appropriately for your hearing loss, they will not cause your hearing to worsen. However, hearing aids are not hearing protection. When around loud noise such as concerts, guns, or power tools, hearing protection should be worn. Some people comment that they feel their hearing loss is greater after taking the aids off. This is because they have gotten used to hearing better! What they are experiencing is a perception of greater hearing loss, not an actual change. In fact, hearing aid use can help maintain speech understanding and memory abilities.