You’ve likely noticed that when movies or television shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (maybe even extreme close-ups). That’s because the human face communicates lots of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). To say that humans are really facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our primary sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. 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 awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. In some instances, you may even have challenges. You will have a simpler time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
It’s not uncommon for individuals to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids may interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many people, using them together can lead to discomfort.
A few primary concerns can come about:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the outcome of all those things hanging off your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; usually, they use the ear as a good anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can create a sense of pain and pressure. This can also develop strain and pressure around the temples.
- 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 hearing aids be used with glasses? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses effectively, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
How to use glasses and hearing aids 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 much smaller and fit completely in your ear. There’s usually absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should speak with us about what type of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
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 kind of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. To be able to hear adequately, some people 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 might need some adjustment
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you have large BTE devices, get some glasses that have slimmer frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? There are lots of other individuals who are dealing with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a bit easier. 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 together. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all around (and possibly taking your hearing aids at the same time). They function like a retention band but are more subtle.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. It’s not a very common complaint but it does happen. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience might be caused by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are the problem, get in touch with us about possible fixes.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are properly worn you can avoid many of the issues linked to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit right is the key!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to 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 adjusted, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! Kind of, there’s definitely a learning curve with regard to putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of place.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
Sometimes, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t working as intended. Sometimes, things break! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate earwax and debris.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be sure to store them somewhere clean and dry.
For your glasses:
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
Professional assistance is occasionally required
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they might not seem like it on the surface). So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will usually call for a professional’s help.
The more help you get up front, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than trying to fix those issues).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you need both of these devices. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.
