Most hearing aid users would say that when they use their aids in one-to-one conversations the devices work very well. Difficulties arise when a level of ambient noise is too great, or distance between speaker and listener is increased, as is often the case in a church or cathedral.

These problems are exacerbated if an assistive listening system in use, has been poorly specified or installed. Problems are particularly notable when:

Ampetronic™ hearing loops: