You’ve probably noticed that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. To say that human beings are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, and mouth, nose. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasing qualities.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For example, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. In some circumstances, you might even have challenges. You will have an easier time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently need a bit of assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids may impair each other. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of principal concerns:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result of all those things hanging from your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; the ear is the common anchor. But when your ears have to hang on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also develop pressure and strain around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unheard of for your glasses to knock your hearing aids out of position, leading to less than ideal audio quality.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Definitely! It may seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Wearing hearing aids and glasses together
It might take a little bit of work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. For the purpose 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 completely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should speak with us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everybody but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to consider. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the case they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable influence on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you use large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. In order to find a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
And it’s also important to make sure your glasses fit properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? There are a lot of other individuals who are dealing with difficulties managing hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not alone. This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. These are a good idea if you’re a more active person.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help counter that. They function like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide range of devices available created to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
These devices are designed to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses cause hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely some accounts out there that glasses may trigger feedback with your hearing aids. And it does happen, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. But it’s also possible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
Still, you should definitely contact us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the problems related to using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit well is the key!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are pretty rigid and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room when it comes to adjustments.
Then, carefully place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and the earpiece of your glasses. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
Adjust both as needed in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! That being said, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without bumping your hearing aid out of place.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well taken care of, the discord between the two can be amplified. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can often be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- At least once a week, clean your hearing aids.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be certain to store them somewhere dry and clean.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to eliminate debris and earwax.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- When you aren’t using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry spot where they won’t be inadvertently smashed or stepped on.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
Professional assistance is sometimes required
Though it might not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s crucial to speak with professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding issues instead of attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help in the beginning.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to accept that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Yes, needing both of these devices can initiate some obstacles. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.