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 probably even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that human beings 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 cram packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
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 bit… cumbersome. In some cases, you may even have difficulties. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
It’s common for people to worry that their hearing aids and glasses may conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many people. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Wearing them together can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few primary concerns can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unusual for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than perfect 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 wrap around your ears can create a sense of pressure and pain. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging off your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Wearing 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 intention of this article, we’ll be discussing 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.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. You should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
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 may want to think about. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you have large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
And it’s also important to be certain your glasses fit securely. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continuously jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn together? Well, If you’re having problems handling 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:
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help prevent that. They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices available 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 keep them in place. These are a good idea if you’re a more active person.
These devices are designed to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also possible 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 think your glasses are the problem, get in touch with us about possible solutions.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the problems associated with using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit right 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 bigger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to 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.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
That’s all there is to 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)
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well maintained, the discord between the two can be amplified. Sometimes, things break! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to clear away debris and earwax.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you aren’t using them.
For your glasses:
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- 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.
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. At least once every day is the best plan.
Sometimes you need professional help
Though it may not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally call for a professional’s help.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need down the road (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 accept that hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight with each other. Yes, needing both of these devices can cause some obstacles. But we can help you choose the right hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.