You’ve likely noticed that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. To say that human beings are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our primary sensors are, eyes, ears, and mouth, nose. The face is cram packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… cumbersome. It can be rather challenging in some situations. 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!
Do hearing aids hinder wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will often require a bit of assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may hinder each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Wearing them simultaneously can be uncomfortable for some people.
There are a couple of main challenges:
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging from your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is particularly true.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; the ear is the mutual anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than perfect audio quality.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It may seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to wear hearing aids and glasses at the same time
It might take a little work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. Generally, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is pertinent to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit almost entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. There’s normally absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and 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 talk to us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your requirements (they each have their own advantages and drawbacks).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to choose an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everybody. To be able to hear sufficiently, some individuals need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to get yourself some glasses that have slimmer frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
And it’s also significant to be sure your glasses fit securely. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too loose. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? There are a lot of other individuals who are dealing with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by utilizing some available devices. Some of those devices include:
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all over the place (and possibly moving your hearing aids with them). They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a really common complaint but it does occur. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience might be caused by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should definitely consult 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 avoid many of the problems related to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses in place first. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, place 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! Kind of, there’s definitely a learning curve with regard to putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well maintained, the discord between the two can be increased. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to remove debris and earwax.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be sure to store them somewhere clean and dry.
For your glasses:
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can store them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. Usually, this is at least once every day!
Professional help is occasionally needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (although they may not seem like it on the surface). This means that it’s important to talk to professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Preventing problems rather than trying to fix them later can be accomplished 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 happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Yes, needing both of these devices can create some obstacles. 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.