Thank you for the information. If I start now I may have hearing aids by the time I need them.
Glad to give it. V.A. is a safe sure bet even if you have to pay. I got burned bad by a hearing aid clinic before that. If you don't go the V.A. route go to an Ear Nose Throat doctor that also has an Audiologist who can set you up. Be weary of clinics offering free hearing test and only a Licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser doing testing and sales. They are not Audiologist.
I went to an Audibel Clinic and what I asked for and what I got was not represented honestly. Actually a family member purchased my first hearing aids because my hearing was getting so bad. I learned after a few months he sold me very low end hearing aids for a premium price. The quality was so poor I went to V.A. The ones V.A. set me up with me are much better.
You need to research which type you might want. My first ones were over the ear meaning two pieces connected with tubing the ear mold and hearing aid. I wear in the ear type now. The in the ear one piece IMO offer much more comfort and less maintenance issues.