You’ve probably noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (maybe even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re probably 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 primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasant attributes.
But this can become problematic when you need multiple assistive devices. It can become a bit awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. It can be rather challenging in some circumstances. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s not uncommon for people to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many individuals. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Using them together can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few basic concerns can come about:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; frequently, they use the ear as an effective 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. This can also develop pressure and strain around the temples.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it may seem like they’re contradictory.
How to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time
It may take a little bit of 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. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit almost entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. 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 sit behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own advantages and weaknesses, so you should speak with us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everyone but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to consider. To be able to hear adequately, some people require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you have. You will want to get yourself some glasses that have thinner frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to select a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are constantly jiggling around.
Using accessories is okay
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn together? Well, If you’re having problems managing both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t alone! 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:
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide range of devices available designed to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can push your hearing aid out of position and these devices help stop that. 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 trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a really common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are the problem, get in touch with us about possible fixes.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the problems linked to wearing glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
Put your glasses in place first. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
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 set up, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Sort 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
Sometimes, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Sometimes, things break! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- 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 clear away earwax and debris.
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Be sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
For your glasses:
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- When you aren’t using, store in a case. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this could scratch your lenses.
Professional assistance is sometimes needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (even though they may not seem like it at first glance). 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.
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 trying to address those problems).
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. Sure, it can, at times, be a challenge if you require 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.