You’ve probably noticed that when movies or television shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially centered.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is cram packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But this can become a problem when you require multiple assistive devices. It can become a little cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. It can be somewhat challenging in some situations. 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 hinder wearing glasses?
It’s common for individuals to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many individuals, wearing them together can result in discomfort.
A few primary challenges can come about:
- 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 feeling 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: All of those parts hanging from your face can also sometimes result in skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it may seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Using hearing aids and glasses together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work you will need to do. For the intention of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit completely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. You should consult us about what type of hearing aid will be best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to choose an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everybody. Some people will require a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the case they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you use 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.
And it’s also important to be sure your glasses fit properly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. The quality of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? There are lots of other individuals who are dealing with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide variety of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these devices.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help keep them in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from moving all over the place (and potentially moving your hearing aids at the same time). They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
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 produce hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses may trigger feedback with your hearing aids. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. But it’s also possible 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 to blame, talk to us about possible solutions.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the problems related to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses put first. 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 the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as necessary to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
And that’s it! That being said, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without bumping 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 taken care of, the discord between the two can be increased. 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.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Use a soft pick and a brush to eliminate earwax and debris.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be sure to store them somewhere dry and clean.
For your glasses:
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. Typically, this is at least once every day!
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. Or, you can keep 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 well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
Sometimes you require professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they may not seem like it at first glance). So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will usually require a professional’s help.
Avoiding problems rather than attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help to start with.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Certainly, needing both of these devices can initiate some obstacles. 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.