I have never understood why it is perfectly fine to require and wear aids for seeing, but somehow an embarrassment for the same with hearing. In fact, loss of hearing can be far more difficult to cope with.
Many years ago, I can remember persuading my Dad to get a hearing aid, when my first born was starting to speak - but asking him if he wanted to be able to talk to his grandson. mind you the NHS ones, back then, were not very good, often whistled, not behind the ear, etc. But still better than nothing.
I have required hearing aids for 15 or 16 years - always NHS. In that time, I have seen them get better, more controllable and smaller. Most people I meet do not even know I am wearing them (in both ears). When I get new ones, I always give myself a good fortnight to allow my brain to catch up with their increased efficiency and to learn to cut out extravaneous noise.
When I moved house, I had to 'start again' with my new GP (evidently they cannot just transfer over such records between hospital trusts). This GP made arrangement for an audiology test at Specsavers. Was rather concerned about this as had always been at hospital audiology in London. Sent off the letter, and they phoned me to make an appointment. This was later November last year - so got out my 2020 diary expecting it to be a good couple of months, but they made the appointment for the following week. Excellent service there, full hearing test, and new aids.