You’ve probably noted 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 conveyed by the human face. To say that humans are very facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, and mouth, nose. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically wonderful way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. It can be rather difficult in some situations. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
As both your ears and your eyes will often need a little assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could hinder each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of principal challenges:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging from your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; frequently, they use the ear as a good anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. This can also produce strain and pressure around the temples.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Using hearing aids and glasses together
It might take a little work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. 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 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. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you may want to opt for an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. Some individuals will require 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 might require some adjustment
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will considerably depend on the style and type of glasses you have. You will want to get yourself some glasses that have slimmer frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to select a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
And it’s also important to make sure your glasses fit securely. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. The caliber of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continuously wiggling around.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? There are a lot of other individuals who are dealing with difficulties managing 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 a bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices on the market designed to do just that. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help prevent that. They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who use 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, like 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.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties related to wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be prevented by ensuring that all of your devices are being worn properly. Having them fit right is the key!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses put first. In terms of adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, carefully place 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 needed to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
And that’s 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.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well maintained, the discord between the two can be increased. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not using them.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to clear away earwax and debris.
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
For your glasses:
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Normally, this is at least once every day!
- When you’re not using, store in a case. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
Sometimes you require professional help
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 find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than attempting to fix those problems).
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight
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, sometimes, be challenging if you need both of these devices. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.