TV shows and movies tend to use close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. That’s because the human face communicates a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that humans are very facially focused.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is cram packed (in an aesthetically wonderful way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. It can become a bit cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for example. It can be fairly difficult in some circumstances. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you manage those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
It’s not uncommon for people to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many people. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. Wearing them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of principal concerns:
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; the ear is the common anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can produce a sense of pain and pressure. 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, giving you less than perfect audio quality.
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging off your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
Using hearing aids and glasses together
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work you will need to do. In general, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is significant to this discussion. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really under consideration here. There’s usually absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. The electronics that go behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should consult us about what type of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everyone but if you wear your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to think about. To be able to hear adequately, some people need 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 instances, the type and style of glasses you have will have a significant effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to get yourself some glasses with slimmer frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also have to fit properly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too loose. If your glasses are wiggling around all over the place, you could jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids at the same time? Well, If you’re having trouble handling both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t the only one! This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things just a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all over, they can knock your hearing aid out of position and these devices help prevent that. They work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Specially designed devices: Using your hearing aids and glasses simultaneously will be a lot easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices on the market designed 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 them stay in place. If you’re a more active individual, these are a good idea.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
Some individuals who use glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. It’s not a very common complaint but it does occur. In some cases, the feedback you experience might be triggered by something else (such as a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly contact us if you think your glasses may be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the issues associated with wearing glasses and hearing aids together. You want them to fit well!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
Put your glasses in place first. After all, your glasses are fairly stiff and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in position, 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 necessary in order to be comfortable, then place the hearing aid microphone inside your ear canal.
And that’s it! Having said that, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
Sometimes, 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 bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- The right tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be used to remove debris and earwax.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you aren’t wearing them.
For your glasses:
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. If you don’t have a case, just store them in a dry spot where they won’t be accidentally smashed or stepped on.
Professional help is occasionally required
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they might not seem like it on the surface). This means that it’s crucial 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 later on (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than attempting to fix 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, obviously), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Yes, needing both of these devices can create 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.