Movies and TV shows tend to use 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 communicated by the human face. To say that human beings are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
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 excellent way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. It can become a bit cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. It can be fairly difficult in some circumstances. You will have an easier time using your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Are glasses interfered with by hearing aids?
As both your eyes and your ears will often require a little assistance, it’s common for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids might impede each other. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. For many individuals, wearing them together can lead to discomfort.
A few basic challenges can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can produce a sense of pressure and pain. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
It might take a little bit of work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. For the objective of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. 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. The electronics that go behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s situated inside the ear canal. You should speak with us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your needs (they each have their own advantages and disadvantages).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everyone but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to consider. To be able to hear sufficiently, some individuals require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses may need some adjustment
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you have will have a considerable impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you have large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have slimmer frames. In order to find 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 tight. The quality of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continuously jiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having trouble handling both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t alone! This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from moving all over the place (and potentially moving your hearing aids with them). They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices on the market created to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help keep them in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a practical idea.
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 trigger hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely 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 feasible that something else, such as a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, you should definitely consult us if you think your glasses might 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 prevent many of the issues linked to using glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses in place first. After all, your glasses are pretty rigid and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in position, place the shell of your hearing aid between the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
That’s all there is to it! That being said, you will still need some practice removing your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Take 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 intended. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, make sure to store them somewhere clean and dry.
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to clear away earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- When you aren’t using, store in a case. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
Occasionally you need professional help
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s important 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 attempting to address those problems).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, of course), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Certainly, needing both of these devices can initiate some obstacles. 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 enjoying time with your family.