TV shows and movies tend to use close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. To say that human beings are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasing qualities.
But this can become an issue when you require numerous assistive devices. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… cumbersome. It can be fairly difficult in some situations. You will have an easier time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
It’s not uncommon for people to worry that their hearing aids and glasses may interfere 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 constraints. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some people.
There are a couple of principal concerns:
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unusual for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than perfect audio quality.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging from your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is especially true.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Definitely! It may seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to wear glasses and hearing aids together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a matter 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 really small and fit nearly 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.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own benefits and weaknesses, so you should speak with us about what type of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everyone but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to consider. To be able to hear adequately, some people require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses may require some adjustment
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 invest in glasses that have thinner frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. Work with your optician to select a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also have to fit properly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too loose. The quality of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having trouble dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t alone! This is a good thing because things can get a little bit easier by using some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from sliding all over the place (and potentially taking your hearing aids with them). They function like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you make use of the wide range of devices available created to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
Some people who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. In some instances, the feedback you experience could be triggered 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 to blame, consult us about possible fixes.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties associated with wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be avoided by making sure that all of your devices are being properly worn. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses in place 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. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! That being said, 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 glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t working as intended. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, make sure to keep them somewhere clean and dry.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to eliminate debris and ear wax.
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. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently smashed or stepped on.
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. Typically, this is at least once a day!
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally call for a professional’s help.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need later on (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than trying to fix those problems).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, of course), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you need both of these devices. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.
