Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. That’s because the human face communicates a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). To say that humans are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our main sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is jammed with aesthetically pleasing attributes.
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. It can be rather challenging in some situations. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time 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 individuals to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids may interfere with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the positioning of hearing aids. For many individuals, using them together can cause discomfort.
There are a couple of key concerns:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging from your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is especially true.
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses knock your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be affixed to your face; the ear is the mutual anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses wrap around your ears can create a sense of pain and pressure. Your temples can also feel pressure and pain.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It may seem like they’re contradictory, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can effectively be worn with glasses!
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 it will take. 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 totally in your ear. There’s usually absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
But with behind-the-ear hearings they…well, sit behind the ear. The electronics that sit behind your ears connect to a wire leading to a speaker that’s positioned inside the ear canal. Each type of hearing aid has its own advantages and drawbacks, so you should talk to us about what type of hearing aid would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
If you wear your glasses every day all day, you might want to go with an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t work for everybody. Some individuals will require a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they can still make it work with glasses.
Your glasses might require some adjustment
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will greatly depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you wear large BTE devices, invest in glasses that have thinner frames. Work with your optician to pick out a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also need to fit properly. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continuously jiggling around.
Using accessories is okay
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids simultaneously? Well, If you’re having difficulty dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t alone! This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide variety of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses together. Glasses with hearing aids built right in are an example of one of these kinds of devices.
- Anti-slip hooks: These hooks also help to keep your glasses from moving all over the place (and possibly moving your hearing aids at the same time). They function like a retention band but are more subtle.
- 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.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in place and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely some accounts out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does happen. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s causing the feedback.
Still, if you’re noticing hearing aid feedback and interference and you believe that your glasses are the problem, get in touch with us about possible fixes.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are worn properly you can prevent many of the issues associated with wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit well!
You can do that by utilizing these tips:
Put your glasses in place first. 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 the earpiece of your glasses 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 in your ear canal.
That’s all there is to it! Kind of, there’s certainly a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
If either of your devices (hearing aids or glasses) isn’t well maintained, the conflict between the two can be amplified. Things break sometimes! But those breakages can frequently be prevented with a little maintenance and routine care.
For your hearing aids:
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to get rid of earwax and debris.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be certain to store them somewhere clean and dry.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- Be certain to recharge your battery when necessary (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
For your glasses:
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this could scratch your lenses.
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
Professional assistance is occasionally required
Though it might not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a complex pieces of technology. So determining the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will normally require a professional’s help.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need down the road (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than trying to fix those problems).
Your glasses and hearing aids can get along with each other
If you haven’t already realized it, now it’s time to accept that hearing aids and glasses don’t have to fight with each other. Sure, it can, at times, be challenging if you need both of these devices. But we can help you select the right hearing aid for your needs, so you can focus less on keeping your hearing aids in place and more on your quality of life.