words with an "ex-" prefix, followed by a vowel, the "h" sound naturally flows in place there, it's almost impossible to say these words (with a written "h" or not) without the support of, at least, a mild "h",

I don't have access to a dictionary right now WO'N, but I am running through, some such words as you describe, in my head and I do not hear an 'h' in them. For e.g., exAlting, exEmplary, exIstential, exOrbitant, exUberant. Is it to do , you think, with different schools of pronounciation? Or could the faint 'h' sound you hear, be emanating from the 'x'? It is not a sharp 'X'; more of an 'eggz' or 'eggzh'

Didn't understand the long and short versions; could you please explain that some more.