You’ve likely noticed that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they begin 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). To say that human beings are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is cram packed (in a visually wonderful way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. It can become a bit cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. It can be rather challenging in some circumstances. 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 might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. Wearing them simultaneously can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few basic challenges can come about:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging from your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; often, they use the ear as a good anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can cause a sense of pressure and pain. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to use glasses and hearing aids together
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work it will take. 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 totally 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. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should consult us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your requirements (they each have their own advantages and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to opt for an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everybody. To be able to hear adequately, some people need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses may require some adjustment
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 wear 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.
And it’s also important to be sure your glasses fit correctly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too slack. The quality of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are constantly jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having difficulty managing 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 easier by using some available devices. Some of those devices include:
- 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.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices available created to do just that. 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 push your hearing aid out of place and these devices help stop that. They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
These devices are designed to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience might be triggered by something else (such as a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties associated with wearing hearing aids and glasses together can be averted by ensuring that all of your devices are being worn properly. Having them fit right is the key!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses in place first. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in position, place the shell of your hearing aid between the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as necessary to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
And that’s it! Sort of, there’s certainly a learning curve with regard to putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of place.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well maintained, the conflict between the two can be amplified. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you aren’t using them.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Use a soft pick and a brush to remove debris and ear wax.
For your glasses:
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this could scratch your lenses.
- When you’re not using, store in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
Professional help is occasionally needed
Though it may not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s important to speak with professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding problems instead of trying to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help to start with.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight
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 require both of these devices. But we can help you choose 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.