TV shows and movies tend to utilize close-ups (at times extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. That’s because the human face communicates a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). To say that humans are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But when your face requires 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 at the same time, for example. In some cases, you might even have challenges. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you handle those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
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 individuals. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many individuals, using them together can lead to discomfort.
A few basic challenges can arise:
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging from your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can produce a sense of pressure and pain. This can also create pressure and strain around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than perfect audio quality.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Definitely! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Using hearing aids and glasses together
It may take a little work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. In general, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is significant to this conversation. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are quite small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. There’s usually absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should consult us about what type of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you may want to go with an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t be the best choice for everybody. To be able to hear sufficiently, some people need 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 significant effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you wear large BTE devices, get some glasses that have slimmer frames. 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 correctly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. The quality of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having problems handling 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. Some of those devices include:
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all around (and possibly moving your hearing aids with them). They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
There are certainly some accounts out there that glasses might trigger 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 consult us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the issues associated with wearing glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses in place first. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are larger so they will have less wiggle room.
Then, carefully position your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as necessary to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
And that’s it! Kind of, there’s definitely a learning curve with regard to putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to eliminate earwax and debris.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not wearing them.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- When you’re not using, store in a case. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry spot where they won’t be accidentally broken or stepped on.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once every day!
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
Professional help is sometimes required
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (although they might not seem like it at first glance). So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally require 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 preventing problems rather than trying 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, of course), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Yes, needing both of these devices can initiate some challenges. 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 your quality of life.
