Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. That’s because the human face conveys a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). To say that human beings are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our main sensors are, eyes, ears, and mouth, nose. The face is cram packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But this can become problematic when you need multiple assistive devices. It can become a little awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. In some circumstances, you might even have challenges. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you handle those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s not uncommon for people to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids might interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many people. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. For many individuals, using them together can result in discomfort.
There are a couple of principal concerns:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result 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 common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; the ear is the common anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can cause a sense of pressure and pain. This can also create pressure and strain around the temples.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Of course you can! 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 together
It might take a little work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. 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 far smaller and fit totally in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. The electronics that go 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 benefits and weaknesses, so you should speak with us about what type 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 use your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to think about. To be able to hear sufficiently, some individuals need 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.
Adjust your glasses
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you wear large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner 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 sure your glasses fit properly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too loose. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? There are lots of other people who are coping with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things just a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help keep them in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices on the market designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help stop that. They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in place, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses may trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. In some instances, the feedback you experience may be triggered by something else (such as a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
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 associated with wearing glasses and hearing aids together. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
First put your glasses on. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in position, position 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 needed to be comfortable, then place 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 position.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
Sometimes, friction between your glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t working as designed. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be certain to keep 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 used to eliminate debris and earwax.
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
For your glasses:
- Bring 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 place where they won’t be accidentally broken or stepped on.
- When your glasses are dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
Professional help is occasionally needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they may not seem like it on the surface). So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will typically require a professional’s help.
Avoiding issues instead of trying to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to accept that hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight with each other. Certainly, needing both of these devices can create some obstacles. 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 enjoying time with your family.