Movies and TV shows tend to use 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 communicated by the human face. To say that humans are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is cram packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But this can become problematic when you need multiple assistive devices. It can become a bit awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. It can be rather challenging in some circumstances. 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 interfere with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will often need a little assistance, it’s common for people to be worried 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 limitations. Wearing them simultaneously can be uncomfortable for some people.
There are a couple of principal challenges:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result of all those things hanging from your face. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; 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 produce a sense of pain and pressure. This can also create pressure and strain around the temples.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
How to wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work you will need to do. For the intention of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit nearly completely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. There’s normally absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. You should consult us about what type of hearing aid is best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you may want to go with 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 require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you have will have a significant effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you wear large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner frames. Work with your optician to pick out a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. The quality of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are constantly jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? There are a lot of other people who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is a good thing because things can get a little bit easier by utilizing some available devices. Here are a few of those 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’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices available designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a good idea.
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 with glasses?
There are definitely some accounts out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does happen. 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 certainly consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties connected to wearing hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be prevented by making sure that all of your devices are being properly worn. Having them fit well is the key!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
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.
Once you have your glasses in place, position the shell of your hearing aid between the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
And that’s it! Having said that, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Take 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. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to remove earwax and debris.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry spot where they won’t be accidentally smashed or stepped on.
- Use 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.
Professional help is sometimes needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they might not seem like it on the surface). So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will typically call for a professional’s help.
Preventing problems rather than attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
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 have to be enemies. Certainly, needing both of these devices can create some obstacles. But we can help you pick the best hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.