You’ve probably noticed 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. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are very facially focused.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant attributes.
But this can become an issue when you need numerous assistive devices. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… awkward. It can be fairly challenging in some situations. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you manage those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will often require a little assistance, it’s common for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may impair each other. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. For many individuals, wearing them at the same time can lead to discomfort.
A few basic challenges can come about:
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging from your face can also sometimes result in 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 an effective anchor. But when your ears have to hang on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
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!
Using 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. For the objective of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit entirely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that go behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and weaknesses, so you should talk to us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everybody but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to consider. Some people will need 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 may need some adjustment
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you wear large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
Your glasses will also have to fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too tight. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? There are a lot of other people who are dealing 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 just a little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- 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 together. 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 over, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help prevent that. They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
Some people who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does occur. In some cases, the feedback you experience might be caused by something else (such as a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly contact 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 challenges related to wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be prevented by making sure that all of your devices are being properly worn. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses in place first. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Then, gently position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Having said that, you will still need some practice removing 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
Sometimes, friction between your glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Sometimes, things break! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Make sure to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not using them.
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to remove earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When your glasses are dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
Occasionally you need professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they may not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s important to talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Preventing problems instead of attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, of course), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. 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.