Yep... re: *&#$! getting old and hearing loss....
Natural, inherited hearing loss is the same way - can hear but can't distinguish words a lot of times - even with hearing aids.
$5,000 pair of hearing aids - "totally programmable for custom assistance" - didn't help much either.
What's worse - when your partner is now hearing-impaired too, won't admit it, won't go get hearing aids, but grumbles at YOU for being so *&%!# deaf... like you can really help it.