You’ve likely noticed 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 likely even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. To say that human beings are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is cram packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
But this can become a problem when you need numerous assistive devices. It can become a little cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. In some cases, you may even have challenges. You will have an easier time using your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
It’s common for individuals to worry that their glasses and hearing aids might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. For many people, wearing them at the same time can result in discomfort.
There are a couple of principal concerns:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; the ear is the common anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to 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.
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging from your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to use hearing aids and glasses 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. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are much smaller and fit totally in your ear. There’s usually absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and 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. 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 be the best option for everybody but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to consider. Some people will require a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the case they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Your glasses might need some adjustment
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you have will have a significant effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner frames. Seek advice from your optician to select a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
And it’s also important to be sure your glasses fit properly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. The quality of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are constantly jiggling around.
Using accessories is okay
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? Well, If you’re having problems handling both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t alone! This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by using some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help prevent that. They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you make use of the wide range of devices on the market created to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. These are a good idea if you’re a more active person.
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 use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does happen, but it’s not the most common complaint. But it’s also possible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are the problem, get in touch with us about possible solutions.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties associated with using hearing aids and glasses together can be avoided by making sure that all of your devices are being properly worn. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put your glasses on. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in position, place the shell of your hearing aid between the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as necessary 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 removing your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t working as intended. Sometimes, things break! 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 a week.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to remove earwax and debris.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be certain to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
For your glasses:
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. Typically, this is at least once every day!
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When you’re not using, keep in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- 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.
Occasionally you need professional help
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will typically require a professional’s help.
Avoiding issues instead of trying to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
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, obviously), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, 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.