TV shows and movies tend to use close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that humans are very facially centered.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jam packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. It can become a bit cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. In some cases, you may even have challenges. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s not uncommon for individuals to worry that their hearing aids and glasses may interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some people.
There are a couple of key concerns:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can cause a sense of pressure and pain. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses successfully, though it may seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Using glasses and hearing aids together
It may take a little work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. For the objective of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are quite small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. You should consult us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to choose an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everyone. Some people will require a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the situation they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. You will want to invest in glasses with slimmer frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
And it’s also important to make sure your glasses fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too tight. If your glasses are jiggling around everywhere, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn with each other? There are lots of other people who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent 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.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices available designed to do just that. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these devices.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help keep them in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a good idea.
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?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are to blame, get in touch with us about possible fixes.
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 at the same time. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in position, place the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
Adjust both as needed in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
And that’s it! Having said that, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without knocking 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 functioning as designed. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Use a soft pick and a brush to remove debris and ear wax.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be sure to store them somewhere dry and clean.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
- When you’re not using, keep in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- When your glasses are dirty, clean them. At least once every day is the best plan.
Sometimes you need professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (even though they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s crucial to talk to professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding issues rather than trying to fix them later can be accomplished 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 going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Yes, needing both of these devices can initiate 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.