(Editor: My Dad’s Book really indicates how effort and concentration pay off with a new hearing aid.  His was no where near as good as our Blamey & Saunders Hearing aids of today, and he would have had less issues.  But all the time he has sought ways to solve any issues that arise.  He doesn’t blame a device for not giving him perfect hearing.  Back to the Book:). “Other speakers with different voices and different speech mannerisms may lead to a better or worse result – the “timbre” of voices varies greatly.  You will have discovered, too, the point at which you can listen to a conversation comfortably, and without effort, and when it becomes necessary to concentrale.  At this point, if in temporary difficulty with comprehension, cupping the hand behind the ear (and the aid) will give that little extra assistance.  It might also give the speaker a broad hit to speak up a bit.” (Editor: I love this – it’s about finding ways to take control of your environment)