Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. To say that human beings are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
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 pleasing qualities.
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. It can become a bit cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. It can be fairly difficult in some circumstances. 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!
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
It’s not uncommon for people to worry that their hearing aids and glasses 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 limitations. For many individuals, using them at the same time can lead to discomfort.
A few basic challenges can come about:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging off your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; the ear is the common anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also create pressure and strain around the temples.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it may seem like they’re contradictory.
How to wear hearing aids and glasses together
Every style of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work it will take. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. 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 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 consult us about what type of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you may want to choose an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you use large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner frames. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
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. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? There are a lot of other individuals who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things a little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help them stay in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices available created to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help stop that. They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
These devices are designed to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some instances, the feedback you experience could be caused by something else (such as a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should definitely 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
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. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
First put on your glasses. After all, your glasses are pretty rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Then, carefully place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! Sort of, there’s definitely a learning curve when it comes to putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well maintained, the discord between the two can be increased. Things break sometimes! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to remove debris and ear wax.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not using them.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Typically, this is at least once a day!
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry spot where they won’t be accidentally broken or stepped on.
Occasionally you need professional help
Though it may not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally call for a professional’s help.
Preventing problems instead of trying to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help to start with.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you require both of these devices. 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.