Movies and TV shows 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 communicated by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially centered.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But this can become a problem when you need numerous assistive devices. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… cumbersome. In some circumstances, you might even have difficulties. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s not uncommon for people to be concerned that their hearing aids and glasses might interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many people. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Using them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of key concerns:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; usually, they use the ear as a good anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. This can also develop strain and pressure around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish 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 occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Using hearing aids and glasses together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work it will take. Generally, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is pertinent to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are quite small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. There’s usually absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. You should talk to us about what type of hearing aid will be best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to opt for an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. To be able to hear sufficiently, some people need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will considerably depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you have large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are jiggling around everywhere, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids together? There are a lot of other individuals 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. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices on the market designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help stop that. They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
These devices are designed to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
Some people who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It’s not a very common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also possible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the issues associated with using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
Put your glasses put first. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in position, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
Adjust both as needed 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 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)
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well maintained, 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:
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not using them.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to get rid of debris and ear wax.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily be 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. Or, you can store them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they might not seem like it on the surface). So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally require a professional’s help.
Avoiding problems instead of attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight
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 need to be enemies. Yes, needing both of these devices can create 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.