Movies and TV shows tend to use close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially centered.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jam packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. It can become a bit cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. In some circumstances, you may even have challenges. You will have a simpler time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Do hearing aids interfere with wearing glasses?
It’s not uncommon for individuals to worry that their hearing aids and glasses might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many people. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
A few primary challenges can arise:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; the ear is the common anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- 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 outcome of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is especially true.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
How to use glasses and hearing aids together
It may take a little work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. For the purpose 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 completely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. You should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own advantages and drawbacks).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everybody but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to consider. To be able to hear sufficiently, some individuals require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you have will have a considerable influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to invest in glasses with thinner frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. In order to obtain 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 certain 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 simultaneously? There are lots of other people who are dealing with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. 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:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help them stay in place. These are a great idea if you’re a more active person.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from moving all over the place (and possibly taking your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
These devices are made 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?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses may cause feedback with your hearing aids. It’s not a very common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are to blame, consult us about possible fixes.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the problems related to using glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff 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.
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 knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well taken care of, the conflict between the two can be increased. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be certain to store them somewhere dry and clean.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring 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.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Typically, this is at least once every day!
- Store 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 broken or stepped on.
Sometimes you require professional help
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they may not seem like it at first glance). 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 in advance, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than attempting to address those issues).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening 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, at times, be a challenge if you require 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.