You’ve likely noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that humans are extremely facially focused.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But this can become an issue when you need multiple assistive devices. It can become a little cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. In some instances, you may even have difficulties. You will have an easier time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
It’s not uncommon for people to worry that their glasses and hearing aids may conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many people. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. For many people, wearing them together can cause discomfort.
A few primary concerns can come about:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than ideal audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can create a sense of pressure and pain. This can also produce strain and pressure around the temples.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is especially true.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Using hearing aids and glasses together
It might take a little bit of work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. For the intention of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually never have a negative relationship with glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should talk to us about what type of hearing aid is best for your needs (they each have their own advantages and drawbacks).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to consider. Some people will require 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 may require some adjustment
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable impact 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 have to fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. The caliber of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continuously jiggling around.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids together? 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:
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. These are a good idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all around (and possibly taking your hearing aids with them). They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices available designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
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?
Some people who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does occur. In some cases, the feedback you experience might be caused by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are properly worn you can avoid many of the problems associated with wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit right is the key!
You can do that by using 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 when it comes to adjustments.
Then, gently position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
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.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t working as designed. Sometimes, things break! 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 debris and ear wax.
- Make sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not wearing them.
For your glasses:
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. Typically, this is at least once a day!
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
Occasionally you need professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (although they may not seem like it on the surface). So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will usually call for a professional’s help.
Preventing problems instead of trying to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help in the beginning.
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 cause some obstacles. 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.