You’ve likely noted that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face conveys lots of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that humans are extremely facially focused.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is cram packed (in an aesthetically wonderful way, of course).
But this can become problematic when you require numerous assistive devices. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. In some circumstances, you may even have challenges. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses interfered with by hearing aids?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently need a bit of assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could hinder each other. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Wearing them together can be uncomfortable for some people.
There are a couple of key challenges:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; the ear is the common anchor. But when your ears have to hang on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging from your face can also sometimes result in skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it may seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Wearing hearing aids and glasses together
Every type of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work you will need to do. 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 completely in your ear. There’s usually absolutely no clash 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 leading to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to opt for an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everybody. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the case they can still make it work with glasses.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will considerably depend on the style and type of glasses you have. You will want to invest in glasses with thinner frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
And it’s also important to make sure your glasses fit securely. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? Well, If you’re having problems dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t the only one! 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:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you make use of the wide range of devices on the market created to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from sliding all around (and possibly moving your hearing aids at the same time). They work like a retention band but are less obvious.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
Some people who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. And it does happen, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience could be triggered by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the problems related to using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
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.
Then, carefully position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! Kind of, there’s definitely a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
Sometimes, friction between your glasses and hearing aids happens 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.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.
- Use a soft pick and a brush to eliminate debris and ear wax.
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
For your glasses:
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. At least once every day is the best plan.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
Sometimes you require professional assistance
Though it might not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s crucial to talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
The more help you get up front, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than trying to address those problems).
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have 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 accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Sure, it can, at times, be challenging if you need both of these devices. But we can help you choose 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.