You’ve likely noted that when movies or television shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that humans 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 jammed with aesthetically pleasant attributes.
But this can become a problem when you require multiple assistive devices. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. In some cases, you might even have difficulties. You will have an easier time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently require a little assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impede each other. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. For many individuals, wearing them together can cause discomfort.
A few basic concerns can arise:
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can produce a sense of pressure and pain. This can also develop pressure and strain around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Using hearing aids and glasses together
It may 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 discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are far smaller and fit entirely in your ear. There’s normally absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should talk to us about what type of hearing aid is best for your needs (they each have their own advantages and drawbacks).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everybody but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to think about. Some people will need a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the situation they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you have will have a significant impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
Your glasses will also have to fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are constantly jiggling around.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having problems managing both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t alone! This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide variety of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all over the place (and potentially moving your hearing aids with them). They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are certainly some reports out there that glasses may trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does occur. In some instances, the feedback you experience could 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 to blame, get in touch with us about possible solutions.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the problems related to using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
Put your glasses put first. After all, your glasses are pretty rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in place, place the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
Adjust both as necessary 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 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)
Sometimes, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t working as designed. Things break sometimes! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not wearing them.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to eliminate earwax and debris.
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Don’t 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.
- 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 place where they won’t be accidentally smashed or stepped on.
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Though it may not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. This means that it’s crucial to speak with 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 later on (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than trying to address those issues).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
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. Certainly, needing both of these devices can cause some challenges. 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 enjoying time with your family.
