Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (sometimes 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 likely consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially centered.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasing qualities.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. It can become a little awkward when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. In some cases, you may even have difficulties. 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!
Are glasses interfered with by hearing aids?
As both your ears and your eyes will often need a little assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impede each other. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many individuals, using them at the same time can cause discomfort.
A few basic concerns can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than perfect audio quality.
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging from your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. But when your ears have to hang on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses successfully, 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 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 far smaller and fit totally 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. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should consult us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
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 may want to consider. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the case they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to get yourself some glasses with slimmer frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. Work with your optician to select a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also need to fit properly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too loose. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn with each other? There are lots of other people who are dealing with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by utilizing some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help keep them in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a good idea.
- 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 at the same time. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all around (and potentially taking your hearing aids with them). They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most common complaint. But it’s also feasible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should definitely contact us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the challenges linked to wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be avoided by making sure that all of your devices are being properly worn. Having them fit right is the key!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
Put your glasses put first. In terms of 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.
Adjust both as necessary to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
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 place.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well maintained, the conflict between the two can be amplified. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove earwax and debris.
- Make sure to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
For your glasses:
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. Usually, this is at least once every day!
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Keep 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.
Professional help is sometimes required
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they might not seem like it on the surface). So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally call for a professional’s help.
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 fix those issues).
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, of course), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, 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.