You’ve probably noted that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (maybe even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face communicates lots of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). To say that humans are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. It can become a little cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. It can be somewhat difficult in some circumstances. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you manage those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
It’s common for people to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids may interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. For many people, wearing them at the same time can lead to discomfort.
A few primary challenges can come about:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the common anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also develop strain and pressure around the temples.
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging off your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it may seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
How to use hearing aids and glasses together
It may take a little bit of work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. Generally, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is significant to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own advantages and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to go with an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everybody. To be able to hear adequately, some people need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you wear large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. The caliber of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continuously jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having problems managing both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t the only one! This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices available designed to do just that. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from sliding all over the place (and potentially taking your hearing aids at the same time). They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help keep them in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a good idea.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does happen. In some cases, the feedback you experience may be caused by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are the problem, talk to us about possible solutions.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the issues associated with wearing glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
Put your glasses in place first. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
Then, gently place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! Having said that, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t working as intended. Sometimes, things break! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Be sure to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove earwax and debris.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be sure to store them somewhere clean and dry.
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
For your glasses:
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry spot where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. At least once every day is the best plan.
Occasionally you require professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they might not seem like it on the surface). So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will usually require a professional’s help.
Avoiding problems instead of attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help to start with.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to accept that hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight with each other. Sure, it can, sometimes, be challenging if you need both of these devices. But we can help you select the best hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.