You’ve probably noticed 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). It’s no stretch to say that humans are extremely facially centered.
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 a visually excellent way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. It can become a little cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. In some instances, you might even have difficulties. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you manage those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently require a little assistance, it’s common for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impede each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. For many people, wearing them together can cause discomfort.
There are a couple of key challenges:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; the ear is the common anchor. But when your ears have to hang on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the outcome of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is particularly true.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
How to use hearing aids and glasses together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work it will take. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is significant to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit nearly completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant 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 go behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own advantages and weaknesses, so you should speak with us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you may want to opt for an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t work for everyone. To be able to hear sufficiently, 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
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you have. You will want to get yourself some glasses with thinner frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too slack. The quality of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Using accessories is fine
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? There are lots of other individuals who are coping with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by using some available devices. Some of those devices include:
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices available created to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can push your hearing aid out of position and these devices help prevent that. They function like a retention band but are less obvious.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most common complaint. But it’s also feasible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are the problem, consult us about possible solutions.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the problems associated with wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be prevented by ensuring that all of your devices are being properly worn. Having them fit right is the key!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses put first. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, carefully place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Kind of, there’s certainly a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well maintained, the discord between the two can be increased. Things break sometimes! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you aren’t wearing them.
- Use a soft pick and a brush to get rid of earwax and debris.
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. Or, you can store them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- To clean your glasses, make use of 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.
Occasionally you need professional help
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will typically require a professional’s help.
Preventing problems instead of attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help in the beginning.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Yes, needing both of these devices can initiate some challenges. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.