Movies and TV shows tend to use close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. That’s because the human face conveys a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are very facially centered.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our main sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jam packed (in an aesthetically excellent way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. It can become a little cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. In some circumstances, you may even have challenges. These tips on how to wear 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 need a bit of assistance, it’s common for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impair each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. For many individuals, using them at the same time can result in discomfort.
There are a couple of principal concerns:
- 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 mounted on your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. This can also create strain and pressure 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.
- 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 correctly.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
Using hearing aids and glasses together
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work you will need to do. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost 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 positioned inside the ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own benefits and weaknesses, so you should consult us about what kind of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you may want to go with an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t work for everybody. To be able to hear sufficiently, some individuals need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear 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. Work with your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time? There are lots of other individuals 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 little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from sliding all over the place (and possibly moving your hearing aids with them). They function like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Retention bands: These bands fit around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices available designed to do just that. Devices include pieces of fabric 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, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses trigger hearing aid feedback?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It’s not a very common complaint but it does happen. In some instances, the feedback you experience could be caused by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can avoid many of the problems related to using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit right is the key!
Here’s how you can accomplish doing that:
Put your glasses put first. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as needed to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! Sort of, there’s definitely a learning curve with regard 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 maintained, 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:
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to get rid of earwax and debris.
- Make sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, make sure to store them somewhere clean and dry.
For your glasses:
- When you’re not using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry spot where they won’t be inadvertently broken or stepped on.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. Normally, this is at least once every day!
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
Professional assistance is sometimes required
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (even though they may not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s essential to talk to professionals who can help you find 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 fix those issues).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
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 have to be enemies. Sure, it can, at times, be challenging 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.