TV shows and movies tend to utilize close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that humans are very facially focused.
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 this can become problematic when you require multiple assistive devices. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. It can be fairly difficult in some situations. 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 interfere with wearing glasses?
It’s common for people to worry that their glasses and hearing aids might interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical limitations 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 unusual for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than perfect audio quality.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the outcome of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; frequently, they use the ear as a good anchor. But when your ears have to retain 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.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses successfully, though it may seem like they’re contradictory.
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
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. In general, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this conversation. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit completely in your ear. 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 go behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should consult us about what type of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own advantages and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to opt for an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. Some individuals 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.
Your glasses might need some adjustment
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you have will have a considerable effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have 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.
Your glasses will also have to fit properly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too tight. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids at the same time? There are lots of other people who are dealing with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by utilizing some available devices. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a good idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help prevent that. They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are properly worn you can avoid many of the problems linked to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses put first. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Then, gently place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Kind of, there’s certainly a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well maintained, the conflict between the two can be amplified. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not wearing them.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove debris and earwax.
For your glasses:
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
Sometimes you require professional help
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they might not seem like it on the surface). This means that it’s crucial to speak with professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need later on (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than attempting to address those issues).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
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. Yes, needing both of these devices can create some obstacles. But we can help you pick the right hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on enjoying time with your family.