Alas John I have a different take on why your wife noticed your TV noise level that might best be encapsulated as follows.

Man goes to his doctor for an annual checkup. He checks out well for his age apart from some aching joints in the morning and nightly visits to the bathroom.

As the checkup ends, the man says "Doc, I've been wondering about my wife and her hearing. It seems to be declining"

Doc says "Well, it's easy to figure out. Just go home, stand about 20 feet away, facing her back, and ask her in a low but clear voive what's for dinner. If she hears it, she is probably fine"

Man goes home and tries it. At 20 feet, not a peep out of her. 15 feet, still nothing. At 10 feet he notices her head moving from the back, but still no answer.

Finally he turns her and faces her and asks again.

She said "for the 4th time, chicken"

Moral of the story? Faults are hard of hearing.

If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop