TV shows and movies tend to utilize close-ups (at times extreme close-ups) when the action begins 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 main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
But this can become problematic when you require multiple assistive devices. It can become a bit cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. In some circumstances, you may even have difficulties. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
As both your ears and your eyes will frequently require a little assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may impede each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. For many people, wearing them at the same time can result in discomfort.
There are a couple of key concerns:
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can cause a sense of pressure and pain. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? 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
It might take a little bit of work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. For the intention 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.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. You should consult us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to opt for an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everybody. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the situation they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will considerably depend on the style and type of glasses you have. You will want to get yourself some glasses that have thinner frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
Your glasses will also need to fit properly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? There are a lot of other people who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is a good thing because things can get a little easier by utilizing some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. These are a good idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help stop that. They function like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be much easier if you take advantage of the wide range of devices available created to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some people who use glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. And it does happen, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some instances, the feedback you experience might be triggered by something else (such as a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are to blame, consult us about possible solutions.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the problems associated with wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses put first. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, gently position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Kind of, there’s certainly a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well taken care of, the discord between the two can be increased. Sometimes, things break! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you aren’t using them.
- Be sure to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to eliminate debris and ear wax.
For your glasses:
- Bring your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- When your glasses are dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
Professional help is sometimes required
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s crucial 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.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to accept that hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight with each other. Certainly, needing both of these devices can create some challenges. 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.