You’ve probably noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (maybe even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially focused.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. 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… cumbersome. It can be somewhat challenging in some circumstances. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you manage those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses interfered with by hearing aids?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently require a little assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids might hinder each other. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Using them together can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of main concerns:
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than perfect audio quality.
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging off your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is especially true.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to mount to your face somehow; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can create a sense of pressure and pain. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Of course you can! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Wearing hearing aids and glasses together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work it will take. In general, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is significant to this conversation. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are much smaller and fit entirely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually 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 situated inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to think about. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the situation they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a significant influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to invest in glasses with thinner frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. Work with your optician to select a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
And it’s also important to be sure your glasses fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? 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 you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices available designed to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these kinds of 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 keep your glasses from sliding all over the place (and potentially moving your hearing aids at the same time). They function like a retention band but are less obvious.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in place, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. And it does happen, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some cases, the feedback you experience may be caused by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties connected to wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be avoided by ensuring that all of your devices are being properly worn. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
First put on your glasses. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, gently place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
And that’s it! Kind of, there’s definitely a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well taken care of, the discord between the two can be increased. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate debris and earwax.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not wearing them.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once every day is the best plan.
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily be 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 keep them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
Professional help is sometimes needed
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s essential to talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Preventing issues rather than attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help to start with.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
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. Sure, it can, sometimes, be challenging if you require both of these devices. But we can help you choose 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.
