Is it feasible to comfortably wear hearing aids while you are also wearing your glasses, despite the fact that the two don’t seem very agreeable? How to wear both is a question that comes up a lot, especially if you are considering behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. People often wonder whether they can work together comfortably. Yes is the answer.

If you wear glasses, there are some things to think about when buying hearing aids. Use these suggestions to be sure your hearing aids and glasses work well together.

Picking The Hearing Aids Which Best Serve Your Needs

There are a lot of things, in general, to think about when purchasing new hearing aids. Hearing aids come in all styles, shapes, and sizes. They even offer them in stylish colors if you’re into that kind of thing. Modern hearing aids are not the same as the ones that grandpa had.

The first step is to determine what kinds of hearing aids are available. They divide into three basic categories:

• Behind-the-ear (BTE) – This is an older style of hearing aid, but today’s version of this technology is far more advanced. With this style, the main section of the device sits right 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 a lot like the ITE model but it sits deeper into the ear, making them almost invisible.
• In-the-ear (ITE) – As the name implies, this format of hearing aid fits right into the opening of the ear canal with nothing sitting behind the ear.

ITE and ITC models will allow people with glasses to avoid many hurdles. The features of your new hearing aid should be reviewed after choosing a style.

Considering The Features

When buying, it’s the features that should be your primary concern not the shape of the hearing aid. Hearing aid technology is evolving all the time, so features constantly change. Some common ones to look for include:

• Directional microphone – This helps pinpoint the sound you need to hear while you are in a noisy spot. For example, if someone is talking to you at a restaurant, you can hear their speech clearly despite the noise all around you.
• Noise reduction – Filters out background noise by amplifying one channel to enhance speech.
• T-coil – This feature allows you to hear better while talking on a land-line phone. T-coil technology is useful when you are listening to people talk through a speaker like at church or at the movies.

Your aim is to find the best set of features to fit your lifestyle. At this point, you can make a decision on the style of hearing aid.

What if You Want BTE Hearing Aids?

Glasses and BTE hearing aids can be worn together. The secret is to wear both of these important accessories properly, so they are comfortable. Here are some tips:

• Get in the habit of putting on your glasses first and then your hearing aids. The position of your glasses arm is more rigid than your hearing aid so it’s more difficult to adjust. To be sure that the hearing aid isn’t hanging from your outer ear, after you place it, check in the mirror.
• Select the appropriate size BTE before you make a purchase. There is the standard version, which can be a little bulky but will still work with glasses. The other option is a fairly new style called mini BTE. Because the behind the ear portion is smaller, you get better comfort and less feedback. You have to try both styles out to determine which one works best.
• Practice removing your glasses by pulling them forward with both hands instead of pulling them up with one. It will take some time before you get into the habit of taking them off like this. The practice will be reinforced each time you knock off your hearing aid.

There will be some people that will have to stay with ITE or ITC devices. For example, if you take your glasses off a lot, BTE devices will be a much greater burden. This combination will also be a struggle for people with small ears and for children. Most quality hearing aid sellers will give a trial period, so schedule an appointment to see what model is the right one for you. Use this time to determine if you can wear both or not.