You’ve likely noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face communicates lots of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are very 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 packed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But this can become an issue when you require multiple assistive devices. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… cumbersome. It can be somewhat difficult in some situations. 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!
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will often need a little assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern 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. Wearing them together can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of key challenges:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is especially true.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; often, they use the ear as a good anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can cause a sense of pressure and pain. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses successfully, though it may seem like they’re contradictory.
How to use hearing aids and glasses together
Every type of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work you will need to do. Generally, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is pertinent to this discussion. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit completely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should consult us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you may want to choose an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everybody. Some individuals 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.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you have will have a considerable influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner frames. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
And it’s also important to be sure your glasses fit properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? Well, If you’re having trouble dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one! This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things a little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help them stay in place. These are a good idea if you’re a more active person.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can push your hearing aid out of place and these devices help stop that. They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide variety of devices on the market created specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also possible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties related to wearing hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be prevented by ensuring that all of your devices are being worn properly. You want them to fit well!
You can do that by using these tips:
First put your glasses on. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are larger 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.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Sort of, there’s certainly a learning curve with regard to putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
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 with a little maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to eliminate earwax and debris.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not wearing them.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
For your glasses:
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- 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.
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
Professional help is occasionally needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (even though they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s essential to talk to professionals who can help you determine 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 later on (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than trying to address those problems).
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. Certainly, needing both of these devices can initiate some challenges. But we can help you choose the right hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.