Thank you for your very detailed and informative response. Incredibly useful.
I have misgivings about the audiologist and my gut is what has led me to question what he was saying to me on this forum. I am so glad i have found it. I suspect hearing aids will be needed at some stage, and maybe if I am told by an ENT person who is not trying to sell me something that I would get some benefit in using them now, if only marginal, then I may go down the path of getting them now. I think the main shock was learning that my hearing had deteriorated so that it looks likely that I will need hearing aids at all. Now I have got that in my head, I am open to whatever is the sensible way forward. I have been reflecting on the music I heard in the audiologist’s office. I love music, so wouldn’t it be good to hear it fully, i.e. with all frequency ranges covered? I discussed this issue with my wife. She is in the UK, I am in Singapore (so long distance commuting is the name of the game for us), and she suggested that I arrange an appointment with an ENT specialist when I am back in the UK next, which is what I think I will do. That is following your advice too.
I appreciate what you say about expense, and I don’t like wasting money, so guidance on the right type, etc. is also going to be critical. I have been doing some homework and see there is a myriad of makes and designs. Where to start? Maybe I won’t need to for a while, but it looks like an inevitability.
Anyway, thank you once again.