TV shows and movies tend to utilize close-ups (sometimes extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. This is because more information than you’re probably even consciously aware of is conveyed by the human face. To say that human beings are really facially focused is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your primary human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is not surprising. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasant qualities.
But this can become an issue when you need multiple assistive devices. It can become a bit cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses at the same time, for instance. 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 not uncommon for individuals to worry that their hearing aids and glasses might interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many people. That’s because both the positioning of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Using them simultaneously can be uncomfortable for some individuals.
There are a couple of key challenges:
- Skin irritation: All of those parts hanging from your face can also sometimes cause skin irritation. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting properly, this is particularly true.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; the ear is the common anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can result. This can also produce pressure and strain around the temples.
So, can you wear glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses successfully, though it may seem like they’re contradictory.
How to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time
It may take a little work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can work with your glasses. Generally speaking, only the behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is significant to this conversation. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are really small and fit nearly completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. 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 go behind your ears connect to a wire that goes to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. You should consult us about what kind of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own advantages and disadvantages).
If you use your glasses every day all day, you may want to go with an inside-the-canal style of hearing aid; but this kind of device won’t work for everybody. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the case they can still make it work with glasses.
Your glasses may require some adjustment
In some cases, the type and style of glasses you wear will have a considerable impact on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to invest in glasses with slimmer frames if you use 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 properly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too loose. The caliber of your hearing experience can be affected if your glasses are continually jiggling around.
Don’t be afraid to use accessories
So how can hearing aids and glasses aids be worn together? Well, If you’re having difficulty managing both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one! 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:
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can push your hearing aid out of place and these devices help prevent that. 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. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help your glasses stay in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback if you’re wearing glasses?
There are definitely some accounts out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a really common complaint but it does happen. In some cases, the feedback you experience may be caused by something else (like a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you think your glasses are the problem, consult us about possible fixes.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the difficulties linked to wearing hearing aids and glasses at the same time can be averted by ensuring that all of your devices are being worn properly. Having them fit well is the key!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
First put on your glasses. In terms of 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 your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. Your glasses should be closest to your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid in your ear.
And that’s it! Sort of, there’s certainly a learning curve with regard to putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of place.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your glasses and hearing aids occurs because the devices aren’t functioning as intended. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and regular care.
For your hearing aids:
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to eliminate earwax and debris.
- Make sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, make sure to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
For your glasses:
- When your glasses become dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, bring them to your optician for an adjustment.
Sometimes you need professional assistance
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (although they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s important to talk to 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 later on (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than attempting to fix those issues).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, of course), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Sure, it can, at times, be a challenge if you need both of these devices. But we can help you choose the best hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on enjoying time with your family.
