You’ve probably noticed 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 a lot of information (more information than you’re likely consciously aware of). To say that human beings are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
But this can become problematic when you require multiple assistive devices. It can become a bit cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. 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 interfere with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently need a little assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may hinder each other. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. For many individuals, using them at the same time can lead to discomfort.
A few primary concerns can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than ideal audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the mutual anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging from your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
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!
How to wear glasses and hearing aids together
It may take a little bit of 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 conversation. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are quite 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. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should consult us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone but if you wear 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 sufficiently, but even if that’s the situation they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you have will have a significant impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you wear large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner frames. Work with your optician to select a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
And it’s also significant to be certain your glasses fit properly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are jiggling around everywhere, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn with each other? There are a lot of other people who are dealing with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices available designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- 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’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does occur. In some cases, the feedback you experience might be triggered by something else (such as a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should definitely consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the problems related to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
Put your glasses in place first. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, gently position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
Adjust both as necessary in order 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 taking off your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate debris and earwax.
- Make sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not wearing them.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry spot where they won’t be accidentally broken or stepped on.
Professional help is sometimes required
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they may not seem like it on the surface). This means that it’s essential to speak with professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding problems rather than attempting to fix them later can be accomplished 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. Sure, it can, at times, be a challenge if you require both of these devices. But we can help you select the best 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.
