You’ve likely noticed 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 likely even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are very facially focused.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasant attributes.
But this can become an issue when you need numerous assistive devices. It can become a bit awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. In some instances, you might even have challenges. These tips on how to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you manage those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s common for individuals to be concerned 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 there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many people, using them together can lead to discomfort.
A few basic concerns can come about:
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than perfect audio quality.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the outcome of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the mutual 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? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it may seem like they’re contradictory.
Using 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 you will need to do. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this discussion. 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, however, sit behind your ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should speak with us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your requirements (they each have their own advantages and drawbacks).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everybody but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to consider. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the situation they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. If you have 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 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. The quality of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continuously wiggling around.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids together? There are a lot 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 little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices available designed to do just that. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from sliding all around (and possibly moving your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. These are a good idea if you’re on the more active side.
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 may cause feedback with your hearing aids. And it does happen, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some cases, the feedback you experience might be triggered by something else (such as a tv 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 sure that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the issues related to using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit right is the key!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses put first. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
Adjust both as necessary in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside 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 place.
Maintain 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 increased. Things break sometimes! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate earwax and debris.
- Make sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be sure to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
For your glasses:
- When you’re not using, keep 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.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
Professional assistance is occasionally required
Though it may not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. So determining 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 each other
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight with each other. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you require both of these devices. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.