Movies and TV shows tend to use close-ups (at times extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. That’s because the human face conveys a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially centered.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jam packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But this can become problematic when you require multiple assistive devices. It can become a little awkward when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. In some cases, 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 prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
It’s common for people to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids may interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many people. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. Using them together can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of main concerns:
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging from your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than perfect audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Definitely! It might seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
How to wear glasses and hearing aids 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, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is relevant to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit nearly completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. There’s usually absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should consult us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to go with an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everybody. Some people will need a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you wear large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
Your glasses will also need to fit properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. If your glasses are jiggling around everywhere, you may compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? Well, If you’re having difficulty dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t alone! This is a good thing because things can get a little bit easier by utilizing some available devices. Some of those devices include:
- 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 at the same time. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help stop that. They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help keep them in place. These are a good idea if you’re on the more active side.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does happen. In some instances, the feedback you experience might be caused by something else (like 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.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the problems linked to using glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses in place first. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, carefully position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
Adjust both as necessary in order to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
And that’s it! Sort of, there’s definitely a learning curve when it comes to putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Sometimes, things break! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove earwax and debris.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, make sure to keep them somewhere clean and dry.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. 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 become 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 get dirty, clean them. Usually, this is at least once every day!
Sometimes you need professional help
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they might not seem like it at first glance). So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will usually call for a professional’s help.
Avoiding issues instead of attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help to start with.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be challenging if you need both of these devices. But we can help you select 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.