You’ve likely noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they begin 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). It’s no stretch to say that humans 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 packed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… awkward. In some circumstances, you may even have difficulties. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses interfered with by hearing aids?
It’s not uncommon for people to worry that their hearing aids and glasses may interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many individuals. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Using them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few primary challenges can come about:
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; frequently, they use the ear as an effective anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can create a sense of pain and pressure. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it may seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Wearing hearing aids and glasses together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work it will take. In general, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this conversation. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. They’re attached 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 advantages and drawbacks).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to opt for an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t work for everyone. To be able to hear adequately, some individuals require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you use large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. Seek advice from your optician to select a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
And it’s also significant to make sure your glasses fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. If your glasses are wiggling around all over the place, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? There are lots 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 there are devices you can use to make things a bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide variety of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can push your hearing aid out of place and these devices help prevent that. They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It’s not a very common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also feasible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties linked to wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be prevented by ensuring that all of your devices are being properly worn. You want them to fit well!
You can do that by using these tips:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are pretty rigid and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Then, gently position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
That’s all there is to it! That being said, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well taken care of, the discord between the two can be amplified. Sometimes, things break! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be certain to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate debris and earwax.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, 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.
- 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 smashed or stepped on.
Occasionally you need professional help
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. This means that it’s essential to talk to professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need later on (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than attempting to address those problems).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Certainly, needing both of these devices can cause some challenges. But we can help you select 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.