Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. It’s no stretch to say that humans are extremely facially centered.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is cram packed (in a visually excellent way, of course).
But this can become a problem when you require multiple assistive devices. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a bit… awkward. It can be rather challenging in some circumstances. You will have a simpler time using your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently need a bit of assistance, it’s not uncommon for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impair each other. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many people, wearing them together can cause discomfort.
A few primary challenges can arise:
- 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 properly.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; usually, they use the ear as an effective anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a feeling of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. This can also produce pressure and strain around the temples.
- Poor audio quality: It’s not unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, giving you less than ideal audio quality.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Definitely! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to wear hearing aids and glasses together
It may take a little bit of work, but whatever your type of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. For the intention of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are far smaller and fit entirely in your ear. There’s normally absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and 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 talk to us about what kind of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you may want to choose an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. To be able to hear adequately, some individuals require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, you can make just about any hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses may need some adjustment
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to invest in glasses that have slimmer frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. Work with your optician to select a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too loose. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? Well, If you’re having problems dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t alone! This is a good thing because things can get a little bit easier by using some available devices. Here are a few of those devices:
- 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 created to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from sliding all over the place (and potentially taking your hearing aids with them). They function like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help keep them in place. These are a good idea if you’re a more active person.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, hold your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some people who use glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some instances, the feedback you experience might be caused by something else (like a television speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are to blame, talk to us about possible solutions.
How to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the issues linked to using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. Having them fit right is the key!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put your glasses on. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in position, position the shell of your hearing aid between the earpiece of your glasses and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as needed in order to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
And that’s it! Sort of, there’s certainly a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of place.
Keep up with both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well maintained, the discord between the two can be increased. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to eliminate earwax and debris.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not wearing them.
For your glasses:
- When you’re not using, store in a case. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- Clean your glasses when they become dirty. Typically, this is at least once a day!
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this might scratch your lenses.
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Though it might not at first seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally call for a professional’s help.
Preventing problems rather than trying to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help to start with.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to admit that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be a challenge if you need both of these devices. But we can help you pick the best hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.