TV shows and movies tend to use close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. That’s because the human face communicates a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). To say that humans are very facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is cram packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… awkward. In some cases, you might even have challenges. You will have a simpler time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Are glasses interfered with by hearing aids?
As both your eyes and your ears will often require a little assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impair 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 challenges can arise:
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging off your face can also sometimes produce skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to mount to your face somehow; 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 pressure and pain. This can also produce strain and pressure around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Wearing hearing aids and glasses together
It may take a little work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can work 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 completely in your ear. There’s usually absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. The electronics that go behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own advantages and weaknesses, so you should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everybody but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to consider. Some people will need 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 cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a significant effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. Work with your optician to select a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also have to fit correctly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. The quality of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are constantly wiggling around.
Using accessories is fine
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids together? There are a lot of other individuals who are coping 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 using some available devices. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you make use of the wide range of devices available designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from moving all over the place (and possibly taking your hearing aids with them). They’re a bit 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?
There are definitely some reports out there that glasses may cause feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a very common complaint but it does happen. In some cases, the feedback you experience could be triggered by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should definitely consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the problems associated with using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit right is the key!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
First put on your glasses. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Then, gently position 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 set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
That’s all there is to it! That being said, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of place.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
Sometimes, friction between your glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t working as intended. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, make sure to keep them somewhere clean and dry.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (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 eliminate debris and earwax.
For your glasses:
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry spot where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. Normally, this is at least once every day!
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (although they might not seem like it on the surface). This means that it’s important to talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Preventing problems rather than trying to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help to start with.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
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 a challenge if you require both of these devices. But we can help you select the right hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.