You’ve likely noted that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (perhaps even extreme close-ups). 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 primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasant attributes.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. It can become a little cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. It can be somewhat challenging in some circumstances. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently need a bit of assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids might impair each other. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Using them together can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
A few basic challenges can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than perfect audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. This can also develop strain and pressure around the temples.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It may seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
How to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time
It might take a little bit of work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is pertinent to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. There’s usually absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own advantages and weaknesses, so you should speak with us about what kind of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everyone but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to think about. Some individuals will require 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 considerable effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to get yourself some glasses with thinner 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 have to fit properly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too tight. If your glasses are jiggling around everywhere, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
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 alone. This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices available created to do just that. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these devices.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help keep them in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all around (and possibly moving your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold 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. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also possible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are the problem, talk to us about possible solutions.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties related to wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be prevented by ensuring that all of your devices are being worn properly. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
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, 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 set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
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.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
Sometimes, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses 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:
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, make sure to store them somewhere dry and clean.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to clear away debris and earwax.
- Be sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
For your glasses:
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
Professional assistance is occasionally required
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they may not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s important to speak with professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding problems rather than attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help in the beginning.
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 have to fight with each other. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you need 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.