You’ve likely noted 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. It’s no stretch to say that humans are extremely facially centered.
So it’s not surprising that the face is where all of our main sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jam packed (in a visually wonderful way, of course).
But this can become a problem when you require multiple assistive devices. It can become a little awkward when you wear a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for example. It can be fairly difficult in some situations. You will have an easier 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 require a little assistance, it’s common for people to have a concern that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impair each other. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. Using them at the same time can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few basic challenges can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to diminish when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Skin irritation: All of those bits hanging from your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is particularly true.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to affix to your face somehow; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can create a sense of pain and pressure. This can also produce pressure and strain around the temples.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Definitely! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be used with glasses successfully, though it might seem like they’re mutually exclusive.
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
Every style of hearing aid will be appropriate with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work you will need to do. For the objective of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit completely in your ear. There’s normally absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should speak with us about what kind of hearing aid will be best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you might want to opt for an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everyone. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear sufficiently, but even if that’s the case they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a significant impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. If you use large BTE devices, get some glasses that have thinner frames. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, seek advice from your optician.
Your glasses will also need to fit properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too snug. If your glasses are wiggling around everywhere, you may compromise your hearing aid results.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? There are lots of other individuals who are dealing 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. Some of those devices include:
- 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 good idea.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from moving all around (and possibly moving your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
- 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 fabric that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
Some people who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does occur, but it’s not the most common complaint. In some circumstances, the feedback you experience may be triggered by something else (such as a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are to blame, talk to us about possible solutions.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the challenges linked to wearing hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be averted by making sure that all of your devices are being worn properly. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can go about doing that:
First put on your glasses. After all, your glasses are fairly stiff and they’re larger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in place, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably adjusted, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! Kind of, there’s definitely a learning curve when it comes to putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of place.
Maintain both your glasses and your hearing aids
If either of your devices (glasses and hearing aids) isn’t well taken care of, the discord between the two can be increased. Sometimes, things break! But those breakages can often be prevented with a bit of maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- Use a soft pick and a brush to remove debris and ear wax.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you’re not using them.
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. At least once a day is the best plan.
- To clean your glasses, use a soft, microfiber cloth. Your lenses could easily become scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When you aren’t using, store in a case. Or, you can store them in a safe dry spot if you don’t have a case.
- If your glasses stop fitting well, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
Occasionally you need professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (even though they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s important to talk to professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding issues rather than attempting to fix them later can be accomplished by getting the right help to start with.
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 need to fight with each other. Yes, needing both of these devices can create some challenges. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.
