Movies and TV shows tend to use close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action begins 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 humans are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our main sensors are, eyes, ears, and mouth, nose. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasing qualities.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. It can become a little cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. In some instances, you might even have difficulties. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
It’s not uncommon for individuals to be concerned that their hearing aids and glasses may interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many individuals. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. For many people, wearing them together can result in discomfort.
There are a couple of main concerns:
- 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 feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also develop strain and pressure around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Using hearing aids and glasses together
It might take a little work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. In general, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is pertinent to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. There’s normally absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that go behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should consult us about what type of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you might want to choose an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everyone. 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 hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you have will have a significant effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, get some glasses that have slimmer frames. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
And it’s also important to be certain your glasses fit securely. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are jiggling around everywhere, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? Well, If you’re having difficulty handling both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one! 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: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices on the market created to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. These are a good idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of place 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.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
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 may be caused by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties related to using hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be prevented by ensuring that all of your devices are being properly worn. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by using these tips:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
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 in order to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
And that’s it! That being said, you will still need some practice removing your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
Sometimes, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t working as intended. Things break sometimes! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- Make sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to remove debris and earwax.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you aren’t using them.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
For your glasses:
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. Usually, this is at least once a day!
Professional help is sometimes required
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 typically require a professional’s help.
Avoiding issues rather than attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help to start with.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, of course), 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 obstacles. But we can help you choose 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.
