TV shows and movies tend to utilize close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. That’s because the human face communicates a lot of information (more information than you’re likely consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially focused.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is cram packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But this can become an issue when you need numerous assistive devices. It can become a little awkward when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. In some instances, you may even have difficulties. You will have a simpler time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will often need a bit of assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may impede each other. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. For many people, using them at the same time can result in discomfort.
A few basic challenges can come about:
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; often, they use the ear as an effective 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: Skin irritation can also be the outcome of all those things hanging off your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is particularly true.
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Of course you can! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
How to use hearing aids and glasses together
Every style of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work you will need to do. For the objective of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are much smaller and fit totally in your ear. 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. The electronics that sit 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 speak with us about what type of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to go with an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everyone. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they can still 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 considerable impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to get yourself some glasses with slimmer frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to select a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
And it’s also important to make sure your glasses fit correctly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too loose. The quality of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continuously jiggling around.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids together? There are a lot of other individuals who are coping with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by utilizing some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a good idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all around (and possibly taking your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
- 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 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, hold your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
Some people who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some cases, the feedback you experience might be triggered by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are to blame, get in touch with us about possible solutions.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the problems connected to wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be prevented by making sure that all of your devices are being worn properly. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses put first. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in position, position 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 necessary in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! That being said, you will still need some practice removing your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of place.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
In some cases, friction between your glasses and hearing aids happens because the devices aren’t functioning as intended. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can often be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be certain to store them somewhere dry and clean.
- 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.
For your glasses:
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily become 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 you aren’t using, store in a case. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry spot where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once every day!
Sometimes you need professional help
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (even though they might not seem like it at first glance). So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally require a professional’s help.
The more help you get up front, the less help you will need later on (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than attempting to fix those issues).
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight
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, sometimes, be challenging 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.
