Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (often 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). To say that humans are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasing qualities.
But this can become problematic when you require multiple assistive devices. It can become a bit cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. It can be somewhat difficult in some circumstances. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you manage those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will frequently need a little assistance, it’s common for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impede each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Using them together can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few primary concerns can come about:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than ideal audio quality.
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging from your face can also sometimes result in skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. This can also produce pressure and strain around the temples.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Definitely! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
Every type of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work it will take. For the intention of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit completely in your ear. There’s normally absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that go behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what kind 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 everybody. 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.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a significant influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to invest in glasses with thinner frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. 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 properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. If your glasses are jiggling around everywhere, you may compromise your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids at the same time? Well, If you’re having trouble dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t 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:
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help keep them in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can push your hearing aid out of place and these devices help stop that. They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market created specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. 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, hold your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
There are definitely some accounts out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a very common complaint but it does happen. In some cases, the feedback you experience may be caused by something else (such as a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are to blame, consult us about possible solutions.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the problems connected to using hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be avoided by making sure that all of your devices are being properly worn. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses in place first. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in position, place the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as needed to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
And that’s it! That being said, you will still need some practice removing your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well maintained, the conflict between the two can be increased. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove earwax and debris.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, make sure to store them somewhere dry and clean.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
Sometimes you need professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they may not seem like it on the surface). So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will typically require a professional’s help.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than trying to address those problems).
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, obviously), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be challenging if you need both of these devices. 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.
