Movies and TV shows tend to use close-ups (at times extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. That’s because the human face conveys a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that humans are extremely facially focused.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically wonderful way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… cumbersome. It can be somewhat challenging in some circumstances. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will often require a little assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may impair each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Wearing them together can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of principal challenges:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the outcome of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than perfect audio quality.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; often, they use the ear as an effective anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it may seem like they’re contradictory.
How to wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time
It may take a little bit of work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. Generally, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this conversation. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are quite small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. There’s usually absolutely no clash 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 situated inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you might want to opt for an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. To be able to hear sufficiently, some individuals need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you wear large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. Seek advice from your optician to select a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
And it’s also significant to be sure your glasses fit correctly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn together? There are a lot of other individuals who are coping with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things a bit easier. 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 position and these devices help counter that. They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide range of devices on the market created to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a really common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also possible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s triggering 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.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the issues associated with using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
Put your glasses put first. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
Then, carefully position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as necessary in order to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! Sort of, there’s definitely a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses 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 functioning as intended. Things break sometimes! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to eliminate debris and earwax.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be certain to store them somewhere dry and clean.
For your glasses:
- When you’re not using, keep in a case. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
Professional help is sometimes required
Though it may not initially 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 normally require a professional’s help.
The more help you get up front, 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 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 have to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you need 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.