You’ve probably noted that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face conveys a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). To say that humans are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jam packed (in a visually wonderful way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. It can become a little awkward when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. It can be fairly challenging in some circumstances. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time 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 need a bit of assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids might 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.
A few basic concerns can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than ideal audio quality.
- 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 feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. This can also produce strain and pressure around the temples.
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging from your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
How to wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time
Every style of hearing aid will be compatible 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 talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. There’s usually absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should speak with 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 opt for an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the situation they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. If you wear large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
And it’s also important to be certain your glasses fit securely. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having difficulty handling both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t the only one! This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide variety of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses together. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from sliding all around (and possibly moving your hearing aids with them). They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. These are a good idea if you’re on the more active side.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely some reports out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience might be caused by something else (such as a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the issues linked to wearing glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
First put your glasses on. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, gently place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, 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 removing your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Be certain to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to clear away earwax and debris.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not using them.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can store them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
Occasionally you need professional help
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they may not seem like it on the surface). This means that it’s essential to talk to professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Preventing problems rather than attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help to start with.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Certainly, needing both of these devices can cause 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.