You’ve likely noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (perhaps even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face communicates a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially centered.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. It can become a bit awkward when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. In some circumstances, you might even have difficulties. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
It’s common for people to worry that their glasses and hearing aids may 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. For many individuals, wearing them at the same time can lead to discomfort.
There are a couple of principal challenges:
- 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.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; usually, they use the ear as a good anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also produce strain and pressure around the temples.
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging off your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So, can you wear 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 glasses and hearing aids together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a matter 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 completely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. You should talk to us about what type of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everybody but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to think about. To be able to hear sufficiently, some people require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a significant influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, get some 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.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too slack. The caliber of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn together? There are lots of other people who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by utilizing some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you make use of the wide range of devices on the market created to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- 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 person, these are a practical idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all around (and possibly moving your hearing aids with them). They function like a retention band but are less obvious.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in place, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. But it’s also feasible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, you should certainly 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 sure that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the issues linked to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit right is the key!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses put first. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Then, carefully place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. 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.
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 position.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well maintained, the discord between the two can be amplified. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove earwax and debris.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you aren’t using them.
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
For your glasses:
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. At least once every day is the best plan.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- 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 inadvertently broken or stepped on.
Occasionally you require professional assistance
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally call for a professional’s help.
Avoiding issues rather than attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Certainly, needing both of these devices can create some challenges. But we can help you pick 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.
