Movies and TV shows tend to use close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. To say that human beings are really facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
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 an issue. It can become a bit cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. In some circumstances, you might even have difficulties. You will have a simpler time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s not uncommon for people to be concerned that their hearing aids and glasses may conflict 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, wearing them together can cause discomfort.
A few primary challenges can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; frequently, they use the ear as a good anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can cause a sense of pain and pressure. This can also produce strain and pressure around the temples.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is especially true.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time
It might take a little work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. For the objective of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are far smaller and fit entirely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. You should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to go with an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. To be able to hear adequately, some individuals require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses may require some adjustment
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you have. 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 important to make 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 all over the place, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? Well, If you’re having problems handling both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t alone! This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by using some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market created specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. These are a good idea if you’re a more active person.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from sliding all over the place (and possibly moving your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
These devices are made 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?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also feasible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, you should definitely consult us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the problems related to wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be averted by making sure that all of your devices are being worn properly. You want them to fit well!
You can do that by using these tips:
First put on your glasses. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Then, carefully position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as needed in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
And that’s it! Kind of, there’s certainly a learning curve with regard to putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t working as intended. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a bit of maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to eliminate earwax and debris.
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.
For your glasses:
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this could scratch your lenses.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. Usually, this is at least once every day!
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
Sometimes you require professional assistance
Though it may not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally call for a professional’s help.
Preventing issues rather than trying to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help in the beginning.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to accept that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Yes, needing both of these devices can initiate some challenges. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.