Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that human beings are very facially focused.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our primary sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant attributes.
But this can become a problem when you require multiple assistive devices. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… awkward. It can be somewhat difficult in some situations. You will have a simpler time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s common for individuals to worry that their hearing aids and glasses may conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. For many people, using them together can cause discomfort.
There are a couple of main concerns:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; frequently, they use the ear as an effective anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging off your face can also sometimes result in skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to wear glasses and hearing aids together
Every style of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work it will take. For the objective 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 entirely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own advantages and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what type of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to think about. To be able to hear sufficiently, some people need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses might need some adjustment
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will heavily depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. If you have large BTE devices, get some glasses that have slimmer frames. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also have to fit properly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. The caliber of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn together? There are lots of other people who are coping with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things a bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- 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 simultaneously. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- 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 work like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. These are a good idea if you’re a more active person.
These devices are created 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?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It’s not a very common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also feasible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, you should definitely contact us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties linked to wearing hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be averted by ensuring that all of your devices are being worn properly. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses put first. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Then, carefully place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! Kind of, there’s definitely a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
Sometimes, friction between your glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to remove earwax and debris.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, be sure to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
- Make sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
Occasionally you need professional help
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally require a professional’s help.
Avoiding problems rather than trying to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help to start with.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight
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 need 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.