You’ve probably noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (maybe even extreme close-ups). 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 having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But this can become a problem when you need multiple assistive devices. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. It can be somewhat challenging in some circumstances. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will often need a bit of assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may impair each other. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Wearing them simultaneously can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
A few basic challenges can come about:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also create strain and pressure around the temples.
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging off your face can also sometimes produce skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is especially true.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than ideal audio quality.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It may seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
Every type of hearing aid will be appropriate 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 discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are far smaller and fit totally in your ear. There’s usually absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to think about. To be able to hear sufficiently, some individuals need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
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 use large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
And it’s also significant to be sure your glasses fit properly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continuously wiggling around.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time? There are lots of other people who are dealing with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things just 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 simultaneously. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help them stay in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can push your hearing aid out of position and these devices help prevent that. They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
There are certainly some reports out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are to blame, get in touch with us about possible fixes.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the challenges associated with using hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be avoided by ensuring that all of your devices are being properly worn. You want them to fit well!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
First put on your glasses. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Then, carefully position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
Adjust both as necessary to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
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
Sometimes, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t working as designed. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can often be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you aren’t wearing them.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to remove debris and ear wax.
For your glasses:
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently smashed or stepped on.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. Normally, this is at least once every day!
Sometimes you need professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they might not seem like it on the surface). So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally require a professional’s help.
Avoiding issues 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 have to fight with each other. Yes, needing both of these devices can cause 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.