You’ve likely noticed that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially centered.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. In some instances, you may even have challenges. You will have an easier time using your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
It’s common for individuals to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids may conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many people. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many people, wearing them together can cause discomfort.
A few basic challenges can come about:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than ideal audio quality.
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging from your face can also sometimes produce skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; frequently, they use the ear as a good anchor. But when your ears have to hang on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It might seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
How to use glasses and hearing aids together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work it will take. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is significant to this conversation. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. There’s normally absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that go behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should speak with us about what type of hearing aid will be best for your needs (they each have their own advantages and drawbacks).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to think about. To be able to hear sufficiently, some people require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. You will want to invest in glasses with thinner frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
And it’s also important to be certain your glasses fit properly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too loose. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn with each other? Well, If you’re having trouble managing 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 using some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide variety of devices on the market created specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help counter that. They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help keep them in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
These devices are created to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely some reports out there that glasses may cause feedback with your hearing aids. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. But it’s also possible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should definitely contact us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties linked to using hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be prevented by making sure 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. In terms of adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, carefully place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as needed to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! Kind of, there’s certainly a learning curve when it comes to putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. 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.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to remove earwax and debris.
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be sure to keep them somewhere clean and dry.
For your glasses:
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. Usually, this is at least once a day!
Professional help is occasionally needed
Though it may not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will usually call for a professional’s help.
Avoiding problems instead of attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need 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 have to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you require both of these devices. But we can help you select the right 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.