Movies and TV shows tend to use close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. 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 extremely facially focused.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is cram packed (in a visually wonderful way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… awkward. In some cases, you might even have difficulties. You will have an easier time using your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s common for people to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many individuals. 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.
A few basic concerns can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the outcome of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is particularly true.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; the ear is the mutual 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 develop 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 may seem like they’re contradictory.
Using glasses and hearing aids together
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work it will take. For the objective of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly entirely 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 go behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should consult 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 go with an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t be the best choice for everybody. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the case they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will considerably depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. You will want to invest in glasses with slimmer frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also need to fit properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. The quality of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are constantly jiggling around.
Using accessories is okay
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? There are a lot of other people who are coping with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. 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 keep them in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
- 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 on the market designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help stop that. They function like a retention band but are more subtle.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the challenges linked to using 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:
Put your glasses in place first. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in position, position the shell of your hearing aid between the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
And that’s it! That being said, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
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. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove debris and earwax.
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- 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.
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When you’re not using, store in a case. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry spot where they won’t be accidentally smashed or stepped on.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Typically, this is at least once a day!
Professional assistance is occasionally required
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they might not seem like it on the surface). 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.
The more help you get up front, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than attempting to address those issues).
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to accept that hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight with each other. Sure, it can, at times, be challenging if you require 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.
