You’ve probably noticed that when movies or television shows get really intense, they begin using close-ups (perhaps even extreme close-ups). 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 very facially focused.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jam packed (in a visually wonderful way, of course).
But this can become problematic when you require numerous assistive devices. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. It can be somewhat challenging in some situations. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you manage those challenges, and prepare you for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Are glasses interfered with by hearing aids?
It’s common for people to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids might interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many people. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical constraints. Using them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
A few primary challenges can come about:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; frequently, they use the ear as a good 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 strain and pressure around the temples.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result of all those things hanging from your face. Mostly this happens because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting correctly.
So can hearing aids be worn with glasses? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Using hearing aids and glasses together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a question of how much work you will need to do. For the objective of this article, we’ll be talking about behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit completely in your ear. In-ear-canal hearing aids almost never have a negative relationship with 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. You should talk to us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to opt for an inside-the-canal style 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.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, 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 with slimmer frames if you wear a large BTE hearing aid. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
And it’s also significant to be certain your glasses fit securely. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too loose. The quality of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually wiggling around.
Using accessories is fine
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn with each other? There are a lot of other individuals who are coping with difficulties handling hearing aids with glasses, so you’re not by yourself. 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: You attach these bands to your glasses to help them stay in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to prevent your glasses from sliding all over the place (and possibly taking your hearing aids with them). They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to wear your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these devices.
The goal 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 document more feedback. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience could be caused by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should certainly consult us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
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 together. You want them to fit well!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
First put on your glasses. After all, your glasses are pretty stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room in terms of adjustments.
Then, carefully place your hearing aid shell between your outer ear and your glasses earpiece. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
Adjust both as necessary in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! Kind of, there’s certainly a learning curve when it comes to putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well maintained, the conflict between the two can be increased. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once a week.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to get rid of earwax and debris.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. Normally, this is at least once a day!
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- When you’re not using, store in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
Occasionally you need professional help
Though it might not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s essential to speak with professionals who can help you find 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 down the road (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than trying to fix those issues).
Hearing aids and glasses don’t have 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 accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t need to be enemies. Sure, it can, at times, be a challenge 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.