You’ve probably noted that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (maybe even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face conveys a lot of information (more information than you’re likely consciously aware of). To say that human beings are really facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasing qualities.
But this can become problematic when you require multiple assistive devices. It can become a bit awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. It can be somewhat challenging in some situations. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will frequently require a little assistance, it’s common for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could hinder 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 people.
There are a couple of principal challenges:
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging off your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; 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. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than perfect audio quality.
So, can you use 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.
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
It may take a little bit of work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. Generally, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are quite 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.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own advantages and weaknesses, so you should speak with us about what kind of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to choose an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everybody. Some individuals 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.
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 use large BTE devices, get some glasses that have slimmer frames. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also have to fit properly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too slack. The caliber of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are constantly jiggling around.
Using accessories is fine
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn together? There are a lot of other people who are dealing with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices on the market designed to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from sliding all around (and potentially moving your hearing aids with them). They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help keep them in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a good idea.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
Some people who wear 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 feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are properly worn you can avoid many of the issues linked to using glasses and hearing aids together. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put on your glasses. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are bigger 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. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
Adjust both as necessary to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone in 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.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well maintained, the conflict between the two can be amplified. Sometimes, things break! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not wearing them.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to clear away earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- 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.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Typically, this is at least once every day!
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
Occasionally you require professional help
Though it might not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. This means that it’s crucial to talk to professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding issues rather than attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help to start with.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to accept 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. But we can help you select the best hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.