Movies and TV shows tend to use 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 probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are very facially centered.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasing attributes.
But this can become an issue when you require numerous assistive devices. It can become a little cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. It can be fairly difficult in some circumstances. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you handle those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s common for people to worry that their hearing aids and glasses might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many people. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
A few basic concerns can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unusual for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than perfect audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; frequently, they use the ear as a good 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. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging from your face can also sometimes produce skin irritation. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
Using hearing aids and glasses together
Every style of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work it will take. For the objective of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration 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 attached by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should consult us about what type of hearing aid is best for your needs (they each have their own advantages and drawbacks).
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you might want to go with an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everybody. Some people 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.
Your glasses may need some adjustment
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you use large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. If your glasses are wiggling around all over the place, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn with each other? Well, If you’re having trouble managing both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one! This is a good thing because things can get a little bit easier by using some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market created specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from moving all around (and potentially moving your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
These devices are designed to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
Some people who use 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 feasible that something else, such as 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 difficulties related to using hearing aids and glasses together can be averted by making sure that all of your devices are being worn properly. You want them to fit well!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses put first. When it comes to 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. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! That being said, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well taken care of, the discord between the two can be amplified. Things break sometimes! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- When you aren’t 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 eliminate earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
- When you’re not using, store in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
Sometimes you need professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s crucial to talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
The more help you get up front, the less help you will need later on (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than attempting to fix those problems).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Sure, it can, at times, 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.