You’ve likely noticed that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. To say that human beings are very facially centered 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 a visually wonderful way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. It can become a bit cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. In some circumstances, you might even have challenges. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
It’s common for people to worry that their glasses and hearing aids might interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many people. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. Using them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of main challenges:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; the ear is the mutual anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Definitely! It might seem like they’re contradictory, 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 style of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are far smaller and fit totally in your ear. 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 best for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you might want to opt for an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everyone. To be able to hear sufficiently, some people require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses may need some adjustment
The level 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 slimmer frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
And it’s also significant to be certain your glasses fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. The quality of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continuously wiggling around.
Using accessories is fine
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? Well, If you’re having trouble managing both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t 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: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a good idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from sliding all around (and possibly moving your hearing aids with them). They function like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide variety of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
These devices are designed to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also possible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties related to using hearing aids and glasses together can be avoided by ensuring that all of your devices are being worn properly. Having them fit right is the key!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in position, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
Adjust both as needed to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
And that’s 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.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
Sometimes, friction between your glasses and hearing aids happens because the devices aren’t functioning as intended. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can often be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove earwax and debris.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be sure to store them somewhere clean and dry.
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this could scratch your lenses.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Normally, this is at least once a day!
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry spot where they won’t be accidentally broken or stepped on.
Professional assistance is sometimes needed
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. This means that it’s essential to talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
The more help you get up front, the less help you will need later on (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than trying to fix those issues).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Yes, needing both of these devices can cause some challenges. But we can help you select the right hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on enjoying time with your family.
