You’ve likely noticed that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (maybe even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face communicates a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). To say that human beings are really facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our primary sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasing attributes.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. It can be fairly challenging in some circumstances. You will have an easier time using your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will frequently require a little assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could hinder each other. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Using them simultaneously can be uncomfortable for some people.
There are a couple of principal concerns:
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging from your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is especially true.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the mutual anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also produce pressure and strain around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than perfect audio quality.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
How to wear glasses and hearing aids together
Every type of hearing aid will be appropriate 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 significant to this conversation. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. The electronics that sit 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 benefits and weaknesses, so you should consult us about what kind of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everybody but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to consider. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a significant impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to get yourself some glasses that have slimmer 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, seek advice from your optician.
And it’s also significant to be certain your glasses fit securely. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. If your glasses are wiggling around all over the place, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? Well, If you’re having trouble dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t the only one! This is a good thing because things can get a little bit easier by using some available devices. Some of those devices include:
- 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 person, these are a good idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can push your hearing aid out of place and these devices help prevent that. They function like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices available designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does occur. In some instances, the feedback you experience might be triggered 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 the problem, consult us about possible solutions.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the problems associated with wearing glasses and hearing aids together. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
Then, carefully place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
And that’s it! That being said, you will still need some practice removing your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t working as designed. Things break sometimes! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Use a soft pick and a brush to get rid of earwax and debris.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, make sure to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
For your glasses:
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When your glasses are dirty, clean them. Normally, this is at least once a day!
- 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.
Professional help is occasionally required
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (although they might not seem like it at first glance). So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will typically call for a professional’s help.
Avoiding issues 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 each other
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, of course), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Yes, needing both of these devices can cause some obstacles. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.