TV shows and movies tend to use close-ups (at times extreme close-ups) when the action begins getting really intense. That’s because the human face communicates lots of information (more information than you’re likely consciously aware of). To say that humans are very facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
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 wonderful way, of course).
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. It can become a bit cumbersome when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. In some cases, you may even have challenges. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time can help you handle those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s not uncommon for people to worry that their glasses and hearing aids may conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many individuals. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. For many people, wearing them at the same time can lead to discomfort.
There are a couple of main concerns:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence 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 mount to your face somehow; often, they use the ear as an effective 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. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unusual for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than perfect audio quality.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Of course you can! It might seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
How to wear glasses and hearing aids at the same time
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. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are quite small and fit almost entirely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. In-ear-canal hearing aids virtually never have a negative relationship with glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. The electronics that go behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. Each kind of hearing aid has its own benefits and weaknesses, so you should speak with us about what type of hearing aid would be best for your hearing needs.
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t work best for everyone but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you might want to consider. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the case they will be able to make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you wear. If you have large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner frames. Work with your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
And it’s also important to be sure your glasses fit securely. They shouldn’t be too slack or too snug. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is fine
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids at the same time? Well, If you’re having difficulty handling 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 utilizing some available devices. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be much easier if you make use of the wide variety of devices available created to do just that. Glasses with built-in hearing aids are an example of one of these devices.
- 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 work like a retention band but are more subtle.
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help them stay in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
These devices are designed to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
Some people who use glasses with their hearing aids do report more feedback. And it does happen, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience could be triggered by something else (such as a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re experiencing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are the problem, get in touch with us about possible solutions.
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 problems related to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
You can do that by using these tips:
First put on your glasses. When it involves adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in place, place 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 to be comfortable, then put 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 position.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your glasses and hearing aids happens because the devices aren’t functioning as intended. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, make sure to store them somewhere dry and clean.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Make certain to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to remove earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- When you aren’t using, store in a case. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
Occasionally you require professional assistance
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 talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Preventing issues instead of attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help in the beginning.
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with one another
Like one of those family feuds that’s been going on too long (with plenty of close-ups, obviously), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Sure, it can, sometimes, be challenging if you require both of these devices. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.