You’ve likely noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face communicates a lot 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 it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jam packed (in a visually wonderful way, of course).
But this can become a problem when you need numerous assistive devices. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… awkward. In some instances, you might even have challenges. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will often require a bit of assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impede each other. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many people, using them at the same time can result in discomfort.
There are a couple of main concerns:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than perfect audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the common anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can cause a sense of pain and pressure. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging off your face can also sometimes produce skin irritation. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
How to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work you will need to do. For the intention of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly 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 sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own advantages and weaknesses, so you should talk to us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you might want to choose an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t work for everybody. Some people will need a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the case they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. If you have large BTE devices, get some 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. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too slack. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are constantly jiggling around.
Using accessories is fine
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids together? There are a lot of other people who are coping 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 bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can push your hearing aid out of place and these devices help counter that. They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. These are a good idea if you’re a more active person.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices available designed to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in place, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most common complaint. But it’s also possible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, you should definitely 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 problems connected to wearing hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be averted by making sure that all of your devices are being properly worn. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses put first. In terms of adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, 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.
Adjust both as needed in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! Sort of, there’s definitely a learning curve with regard to putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t working as designed. Sometimes, things break! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to eliminate debris and ear wax.
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you aren’t using them.
For your glasses:
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this could scratch your lenses.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- When you aren’t using, store in a case. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
Sometimes you require professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (although they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s crucial to speak with professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding issues instead of attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help to start with.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
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. Yes, needing both of these devices can initiate some challenges. But we can help you select the best hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.