How Should An Eardrum Hole Causing Hearing Loss Be Treated?

Hi, my Dad of 77 years recently noticed his hearing had decreased within a month. He had a small hole in his left ear drum since he was a young person, but now the doctor said he has a big hole in the right ear drum. His old doctor had been using an instrument to dig into the ears to get wax out. i am wondering if he could get totally deaf or if hearing aids would be able to help? Would he feel dizzy? Also would he be able to fly by airplane? Please advise.