You’ve likely noticed that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (perhaps even extreme close-ups). 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 humans are extremely facially centered.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasing qualities.
But this can become problematic 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 fairly challenging in some circumstances. 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 worry that their hearing aids and glasses might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. Wearing them together can be uncomfortable for some people.
There are a couple of main challenges:
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging from your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; usually, they use the ear as a good anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it may seem like they’re contradictory.
How to use hearing aids and glasses together
It may take a little work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is significant to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. There’s normally 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 attached by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own advantages and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what kind 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 may want to consider. Some people will need a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the case they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. If you wear 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, seek advice from your optician.
And it’s also important to make sure your glasses fit correctly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are wiggling around all over the place, you may compromise your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time? Well, If you’re having difficulty dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t the only one! This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices available created to do just that. Glasses with hearing aids built right in 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: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all over the place (and possibly moving your hearing aids at the same time). They function like a retention band but are more subtle.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely some accounts out there that glasses may cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, you should definitely consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the issues associated with using glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit well!
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. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
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.
Keep up with 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 those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate earwax and debris.
- 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.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may 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 spot where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
Sometimes you require professional assistance
Though it may not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s crucial to talk to professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding problems rather than trying to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help in the beginning.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you require both of these devices. But we can help you pick 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.