Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (at times extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. That’s because the human face communicates a lot of information (more information than you’re likely consciously aware of). To say that human beings are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. 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.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
As both your eyes and your ears will often need a bit of assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may hinder each other. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. For many people, wearing them together can result in discomfort.
A few primary challenges can come about:
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to mount to your face somehow; often, they use the ear as a good anchor. But when your ears have to hang on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. This can also develop pressure and strain around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging from your face. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It might seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
How to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work you will need to do. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. There’s normally absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that go 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 advantages and drawbacks, so you should talk to 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 everyone 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 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. If you have large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. 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 significant to be certain your glasses fit properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn together? There are a lot of other individuals who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by using some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market created specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all over the place (and possibly taking your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
Some people who use glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also feasible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the problems linked to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by using these tips:
First put your glasses on. In terms of adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, 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 in your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! Sort of, there’s certainly a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
Sometimes, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t functioning as intended. Sometimes, things break! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to eliminate debris and ear wax.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, make sure to keep them somewhere clean and dry.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Typically, this is at least once a day!
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this could scratch your lenses.
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Though it may not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will typically require 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 avoiding 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 recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Sure, it can, at times, 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.