TV shows and movies tend to use close-ups (at times extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. To say that human beings are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our primary sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. In some circumstances, you may even have difficulties. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
As both your ears and your eyes will frequently need a bit of assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may impede each other. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. For many people, wearing them at the same time can lead to discomfort.
There are a couple of key challenges:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; 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. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than perfect audio quality.
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging off your face can also sometimes result in skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is particularly true.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
It might take a little work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this discussion. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are far smaller and fit totally in your ear. There’s usually absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own advantages and weaknesses, so you should consult us about what kind of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone 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 case they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you have will have a significant influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to invest in glasses that have slimmer frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
And it’s also significant to be sure your glasses fit correctly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too loose. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you may compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn with each other? There are a lot of other people who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by utilizing some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help prevent that. They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. If you’re a more active person, 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.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
There are certainly some reports out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a really common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also possible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are the problem, talk to us about possible fixes.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties associated with using hearing aids and glasses together can be averted by making sure that all of your devices are being properly worn. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put your glasses on. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in position, place the shell of your hearing aid between the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
Adjust both as necessary in order 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 place.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
Sometimes, friction between your glasses and hearing aids happens because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Things break sometimes! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove earwax and debris.
- Be sure to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you aren’t using them.
For your glasses:
- When your glasses are dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- When you’re not using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry place where they won’t be accidentally broken or stepped on.
- 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.
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
Professional assistance is sometimes required
Though it may not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will usually call for a professional’s help.
Avoiding issues instead of attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help in the beginning.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have 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, sometimes, be a challenge 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.
