You’ve likely noticed that when movies or TV 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. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are very facially focused.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is cram packed (in a visually wonderful way, of course).
But this can become a problem when you need numerous assistive devices. It can become a bit cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. In some cases, you might even have difficulties. You will have an easier time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
It’s common for individuals to worry that their hearing aids and glasses may interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many people. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
A few primary challenges can come about:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; often, they use the ear as a good anchor. But when your ears have to hang on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than ideal audio quality.
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging off your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is especially true.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
Wearing 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. For the intention of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and weaknesses, so you should consult us about what kind of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you might want to opt for an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everyone. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the case they can still make it work with glasses.
Your glasses may need some adjustment
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you have will have a considerable effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, get some glasses that have slimmer frames. In order to find 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 certain they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn with each other? There are a lot of other individuals who are coping with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things a bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help them stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide range of devices on the market designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help stop 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 place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some cases, the feedback you experience could be caused by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are the problem, talk to us about possible solutions.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the problems linked to wearing glasses and hearing aids together. Having them fit well is the key!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses in place first. After all, your glasses are pretty rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
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.
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 taking off your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well taken care of, the discord between the two can be increased. Sometimes, things break! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Make sure to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to remove earwax and debris.
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be sure to store them somewhere dry and clean.
For your glasses:
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once every day is the best plan.
Occasionally you require professional assistance
Though it may 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 determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding issues instead of trying 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
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 need to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be challenging if you require 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.