Hearing aids and glasses don’t appear to go too well with one another, but sometimes both are needed. So how can you make them get along? How to wear both is a question that is asked a lot, especially if you are looking at behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. People often ask whether or not they can work together comfortably. Yes is the answer.
There are some things, for those people who wear glasses, to think about before they buy new hearing aids, though. Use these guidelines to be sure your hearing aids and glasses work well together.
What Kind of Hearing Aids Will Work Best for Your Needs?
Even if you don’t wear glasses, there’s a lot to consider when purchasing new hearing aids. Hearing aids come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. You can even get them in fancy colors if you like that kind of thing. Today’s advanced hearing aids are not like your grandpa’s.
The first thing to do is to find out what kinds of hearing aids are on the market. They break down into three basic categories:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) – This is an older style of hearing aid, but today’s version of this technology is much more advanced. With this model, the main section of the device mounts directly behind the ear with clear tubing that connects to an earmold sitting in the opening of the ear canal. Open-fit models are essentially the same setup but without the earmold.
- In-the-canal (ITC) – This style is very much like the ITE version but it sits deeper inside the ear, making them pretty much invisible.
- In-the-ear (ITE) – As the name indicates, this format of hearing aid fits right into the opening of the ear canal with nothing sitting behind the ear.
If you wear glasses, you can stay away from a lot of issues with ITE and ITC models. You can compare the many features of a new hearing aid, but first, you need to choose a style.
Considering The Features
It’s really the features not the shape of the hearing aid that should be your main consideration when researching. Features are getting better all of the time as hearing aid technology improves. Watch for some of these common ones:
- T-coil – This function enables you to hear better while using a land-line phone. T-coil technology is useful when you are listening to people talk through a speaker like at a bingo game or at the movies.
- Directional microphone – This helps pinpoint the sound you need to hear while you are in a noisy location. For instance, if someone is talking to you at a cafe, you can hear their words easily in spite of the noise all around you.
- Noise reduction – Filters out background noise by amplifying one channel to enhance speech.
Determining the best features to suit your lifestyle is the aim. After that choosing the style should be easy.
What if You Want BTE Hearing Aids?
Glasses and BTE hearing aids absolutely can be worn together. The trick is to wear both of these essential accessories correctly, so they fit comfortably. Here are some tips:
- Taking your glasses off in a forward motion, with both hands, is something you should practice until it becomes a habit. It will take some time before you form a habit of removing them this way. The practice will be reinforced each time you knock off your hearing aid.
- Pick the correct size BTE before you commit to a purchase. Although it’s a little bit bulky, the traditional version will still work with glasses. The mini BTE is a fairly new alternative. The portion that goes behind the ear is a lot smaller for enhanced comfort and to reduce the feedback that you sometimes have with the BTE devices. Either one will work fine with glasses but find out which style fits you best.
- First put on your glasses, then your hearing aid. You can maneuver your hearing aid around the arm of your glasses which is a little more rigid. To be certain that the hearing aid isn’t hanging from your outer ear, after you place it, check in the mirror.
ITE and ITC styles are the only choices for those who can’t wear a BTE device with their glasses. BTE devices will be a big problem if, for example, you take off your glasses a lot. Children and people who have smaller ears tend to struggle with this combination, too. Most reputable hearing aid sellers offer a trial period, so schedule an appointment to see what device is the right one for you. Whether or not you can wear both will be evident after you try them.
