Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. To say that human beings are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically wonderful way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. It can become a bit awkward when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. It can be rather challenging in some situations. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you manage those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your ears and your eyes will often require a little assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may hinder each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Wearing them together can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few primary challenges can come about:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the mutual anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also produce strain and pressure around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging from your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time
Every style of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work you will need to do. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are quite small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. There’s normally absolutely no clash 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 speak with us about what type of hearing aid will be best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to choose an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everybody. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the case they will be able to make it work with 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. 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, seek advice from your optician.
Your glasses will also need to 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.
Using accessories is fine
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having trouble handling 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. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices on the market designed to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help stop that. They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help them stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely some reports out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a really common complaint but it does occur. In some instances, the feedback you experience could be triggered by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are the problem, get in touch with us about possible fixes.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the problems associated with using hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be prevented by ensuring that all of your devices are being worn properly. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
First put your glasses on. In terms of adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, position the shell of your hearing aid between the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Sort 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 good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Things break sometimes! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be sure to store them somewhere clean and dry.
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Be sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Use a soft pick and a brush to eliminate earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Normally, this is at least once every day!
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this could scratch your lenses.
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently smashed or stepped on.
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s essential 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 in advance, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than attempting to address those issues).
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have 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 admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge 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.