I understand that the audiogram is objective, but overwhelmingly the feedback has been that the audiogram cannot indicate whether I need hearing aids. So . . . ??? But I do now see one clear, definitive, unambiguous “yes” in answer to my initial question.
I had already decided to be fitted for aids tomorrow (or whatever it is I’ll be doing there) 1) because there’s a 45-day return option if they don’t work for me; 2) I didn’t like what I saw in research papers that associated cognitive decline and memory loss with hearing loss and tinnitus (which I don’t remember not having); 3) i just want to see whether I really would hear better.
The HAs I’m considering have bluetooth. With a bluetooth television, theoretically I can send sound directly to the aids. Reservation: the aids I listened to at the audiologist’s shop sounded tinny as hell, so I’m skeptical that they can deliver good audio for movies and music and I speculate that I might be better served by a bluetooth headset for those activities.
Anyway, at this juncture this is all pointlessly theoretical. I shall find out for myself in several days’ time.