Crazy turn signals

I have read some of the older posts on the turn signal problem with this car. In my 97 lumina I have been holding the turn signals down or up but not in the the automatic click for them to work. The hazards work on rear only and no lights in the dash. I am thinking that I have to replace the turn signal switch which is in the steering column. I don't have the experience to mess with airbags. What I want to know is can I keep manually using the turn signals forever or is this going to get worse? Also does this have anything to do with the brake lights, I read that somewhere in another forum but have yet to confirm. My brake lights are working fine for now.