A new study finds that older women who are taking hormone therapy that included progestin may suffer hearing damage. This small study of postmenopausal women found that those women had poorer speech understanding than did the women not on progestin. Progestin is found in some birth control pills; though no studies of hearing in that age group, using those medications has been done. [p]The study is somewhat controversial, as it only included a small number of women in the study. While hearing loss can occur as you age, you should not just assume it is normal. Talk with your doctor and have your hearing evaluated by a professional. Treatment may be available.