TV shows and movies tend to use close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. That’s because the human face conveys 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 it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But this can become an issue when you need numerous assistive devices. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… cumbersome. In some circumstances, you may even have challenges. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you handle 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 hearing aids and glasses may conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. For many people, wearing them together can result in discomfort.
A few basic concerns can arise:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the mutual 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.
- 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 especially true.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Definitely! It may seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
How to wear hearing aids and glasses together
It may take a little work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. Generally, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this conversation. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are much smaller and fit completely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your 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 type of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everyone but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to think about. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Your glasses may need some adjustment
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. 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 have to fit properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. If your glasses are jiggling around everywhere, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? There are a lot of other people who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices on the market created to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from sliding all over the place (and potentially moving your hearing aids with them). They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in place, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does happen, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some cases, the feedback you experience could be caused by something else (such as a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are to blame, consult us about possible fixes.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the problems associated with using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
First put your glasses on. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, place the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Having said that, you will still need some practice removing your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t working as intended. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, make sure to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to clear away earwax and debris.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- Keep 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 accidentally smashed or stepped on.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When your glasses are dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
Professional help is sometimes needed
Though it may not initially 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 usually require a professional’s help.
Avoiding problems instead of attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight
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. Certainly, needing both of these devices can create some obstacles. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.
