You’ve probably noted that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. To say that humans are really facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our primary sensors are, eyes, ears, and mouth, nose. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically wonderful way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. It can become a bit awkward when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. It can be somewhat challenging in some situations. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you manage those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will often require a bit of 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. For many individuals, wearing them together can result in discomfort.
There are a couple of key challenges:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; frequently, 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. This can also produce strain and pressure around the temples.
- 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 correctly, this is especially true.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
Using glasses and hearing aids together
It might take a little bit of work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit almost entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, 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 talk to us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to think about. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the case they can still make it work with glasses.
Your glasses may need some adjustment
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. If you wear large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
Your glasses will also have to fit properly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are wiggling around all over the place, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? There are a lot of other people who are dealing with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. 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 attach these bands to your glasses to help keep them in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all over the place (and potentially moving your hearing aids with them). They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices on the market designed to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
The goal 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?
There are definitely some reports out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. And it does occur, but it’s not the most common complaint. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience could be triggered by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are the problem, consult us about possible solutions.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the issues related to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
First put on your glasses. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can put 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 taking off your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of place.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your glasses and hearing aids happens because the devices aren’t functioning as intended. Things break sometimes! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you aren’t wearing them.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to clear away debris and earwax.
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once every day is the best plan.
- 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 inadvertently broken or stepped on.
Occasionally you need professional help
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (even though they might not seem like it at first glance). 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 in advance, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than trying to address those problems).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Certainly, needing both of these devices can initiate some obstacles. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.
