You’ve likely noticed that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (maybe even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. To say that humans are really facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jam packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… awkward. It can be somewhat challenging in some circumstances. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you manage those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will often require a bit of assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids might impair each other. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. For many people, wearing them together can lead to discomfort.
There are a couple of principal challenges:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the outcome of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can create a sense of pain and pressure. This can also create pressure and strain around the temples.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Definitely! It may seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
How to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time
Every style of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question 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. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit almost entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. 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. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and weaknesses, so you should talk to 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 think about. Some people will need a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they can still make it work with glasses.
Your glasses may require some adjustment
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. If you use large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
And it’s also important to be certain your glasses fit correctly. 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 affected if your glasses are constantly wiggling around.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids at the same time? Well, If you’re having difficulty handling both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t alone! This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things just a little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can push your hearing aid out of place and these devices help counter that. They function like a retention band but are less obvious.
- 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. 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 good idea if you’re a more active person.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in place, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely some reports out there that glasses may trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a very common complaint but it does happen. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience might be caused by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are to blame, consult us about possible fixes.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the problems linked to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put on your glasses. In terms of adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, carefully position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as necessary in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
And that’s it! Kind of, there’s certainly a learning curve when it comes to putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well taken care of, the conflict between the two can be amplified. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a little maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- Be certain to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not wearing them.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- When you’re not using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry spot where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
Occasionally you need professional assistance
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized 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 rather than attempting 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
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight with each other. Yes, needing both of these devices can cause some challenges. But we can help you select the right hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on enjoying time with your family.