Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. That’s because the human face conveys lots of information (more information than you’re likely consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that humans are extremely facially focused.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is cram packed (in an aesthetically wonderful way, of course).
But this can become an issue when you need multiple assistive devices. It can become a little awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. It can be somewhat difficult in some circumstances. You will have a simpler time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
As both your ears and your eyes will frequently need a little assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids might impair each other. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few primary concerns can arise:
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; often, they use the ear as an effective anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to push 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 from your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses effectively, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
Wearing 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 you will need to do. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is pertinent to this conversation. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot 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. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should consult us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you might want to opt for an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everyone. To be able to hear sufficiently, some individuals need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a significant impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you wear large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner frames. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
And it’s also significant to make sure your glasses fit securely. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. The quality of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually wiggling around.
Using accessories is fine
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time? Well, If you’re having trouble managing both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one! This is a good thing because things can get a little bit easier by utilizing some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices available designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can push your hearing aid out of position and these devices help counter that. They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. These are a good idea if you’re on the more active side.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in place, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some cases, the feedback you experience could be triggered by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to wear 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 together. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are fairly stiff and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in place, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
That’s all there is to it! Kind of, there’s definitely a learning curve when it comes to putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well taken care of, the conflict between the two can be amplified. Things break sometimes! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Use a soft pick and a brush to remove earwax and debris.
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be certain to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
For your glasses:
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry spot where they won’t be accidentally smashed 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.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Typically, this is at least once every day!
- If your glasses stop fitting well, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
Occasionally you need professional assistance
Though it might not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s essential to talk to professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
The more help you get up front, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than trying to address those issues).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to recognize that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Sure, it can, at times, be a challenge if you require both of these devices. But we can help you select the best 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.