Individuals who have some form of hearing loss and have been fitted with a new hearing aid or aids are usually very excited about trying out their new aids. In many cases, however, the fantasy of having their hearing back and the reality of what their hearing aids can and can't do for them are far apart. Some new hearing aid users are so disappointed in their results that they stop using their hearing aids altogether; losing their chance to hear and understand the world in a better way.

There are several common problems for first time hearing aid users that can be corrected if handled appropriately:

1. Unrealistic expectations. Many people are fitted for a hearing aid and assume that they will now have perfect hearing and perfect clarity immediately. This isn't a realistic expectation. There is nothing that can "cure" your hearing or return it to its original and best form. They are called hearing aids because they aid your hearing. If you can hear 70% better, don't be discouraged because you can't hear 100% better. You're still hearing many things you would otherwise be missing; celebrate the improvement.

2. Trying too much too soon. Popping in a hearing aid on the first day and expecting to go to a baseball game or theater means the wearer is doomed to disappointment. The sudden increase in hearing a user experiences with hearing aids will be overwhelming. They first need to try to adjust to how background noises sound in a crowded room or noisy environment.

The brain needs time to relearn how to identify, interpret and differentiate various sounds. An individual with a new hearing aid should not expect the brain to be able to adjust overnight to a change in hearing, particularly if the original hearing loss was gradually over a number of years. Start slowly by using your hearing aids in more intimate environments without a lot of background noise and work your way up. Most people will need between a month and three months to adjust completely to new hearing aids.

3. Too much recruitment. "Recruitment" is a technical term referring to the way some sounds seem over-amplified when someone is wearing a hearing aid. For instance, you may feel like the sound of someone singing is deafening while others find it comfortable. This usually happens because there is a limited range in which a hearing aid can work. The aid has to amplify all sounds, but some don't need to be amplified as loud as others, and the resulting distortion translates as recruitment. An audiologist may be able to adjust the dynamic range on an individual's hearing aids in order to minimize this effect. Sound compression technology can also reduce recruitment.

Also, in many cases, it isn't actually that the sound is too loud; it's simply that the wearer hasn't heard particular sounds clearly in years, and they seem louder than they actually are. Many hearing aid wearers discover that this feeling of over-amplification goes away after a few weeks, and footsteps in the hallway no longer sound like a herd of elephants.

4. Neglecting hearing aid features. Anyone with hearing aids that utilize the latest features, such as directional microphones or noise cancellation technology, should be sure they understand how to adjust these features before they leave their audiologist's office. If they get home and discover they aren't sure, it's essential to schedule a follow-up visit. These features can make a huge difference in the performance they get from their hearing aids and neglecting to use these features can result in poor sound quality and lots of frustration that could have been easily avoided.