Movies and TV shows tend to use close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. That’s because the human face conveys lots of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that humans are extremely facially focused.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant attributes.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. It can become a little awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. In some circumstances, you may even have difficulties. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you manage those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
It’s common for people to worry that their glasses and hearing aids might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many people. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Using them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some people.
There are a couple of principal challenges:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging off your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is particularly true.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can cause a sense of pressure and pain. This can also create strain and pressure around the temples.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work it will take. Generally, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this conversation. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are far smaller and fit entirely in your ear. There’s normally absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and 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 positioned inside the ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own advantages and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to opt for an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style 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 case they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will considerably depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. You will want to get yourself some glasses that have thinner frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. In order to obtain 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 securely. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. The caliber of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? Well, If you’re having problems handling both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t 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:
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from moving all over the place (and potentially taking your hearing aids with them). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices on the market created to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
There are definitely some accounts out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does occur. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience could be caused by something else (such as a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are the problem, get in touch with us about possible solutions.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the challenges associated with using hearing aids and glasses together can be prevented by making sure that all of your devices are being worn properly. Having them fit right is the key!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses in place first. After all, your glasses are fairly stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in position, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece 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 inside your ear canal.
And that’s 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 position.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
In some cases, friction between your glasses and hearing aids happens because the devices aren’t functioning as intended. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, make sure to store them somewhere clean and dry.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to remove earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- 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.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- When you’re not using, keep in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
Professional help is occasionally 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 crucial to talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Preventing issues instead of trying 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 happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, of course), 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 obstacles. But we can help you choose the right 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.
