TV shows and movies tend to utilize close-ups (often extreme close-ups) when the action starts getting really intense. That’s because the human face conveys a lot of information (more information than you’re probably consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are very facially centered.
So it’s no surprise that the face is where all of our principal sensors are, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasing attributes.
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become a problem. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. In some instances, you may even have difficulties. You will have an easier time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you make use of these tips.
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
It’s not uncommon for people to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will require assistance for many individuals. That’s because there are physical constraints on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. For many people, using them at the same time can cause discomfort.
There are a couple of main challenges:
- Skin irritation: All of those pieces hanging off your face can also sometimes create skin irritation. 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; frequently, they use the ear as an effective anchor. But when your ears have to retain both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. Your temples can also feel pain and pressure.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than ideal 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!
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
Every style 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 discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit entirely in your ear. There’s normally absolutely no clash between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, though, sit behind your ear. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should speak with us about what type of hearing aid will be 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 go with an inside-the-canal type of hearing aid; but this style of device won’t be the best choice for everyone. Some individuals will need a BTE style device in order to hear adequately, but even if that’s the situation they can still make it work with glasses.
Adjust your glasses
In some instances, the type and style of glasses you have will have a considerable effect on how comfortable your hearing aids are. You will want to get yourself some glasses with thinner frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. Seek advice from your optician to pick out a glasses style that will accommodate your hearing aids.
Your glasses will also need to fit correctly. You want them tight (but not too tight) and you want to make certain they aren’t too slack. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you may jeopardize your hearing aid results.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you use glasses and hearing aids at the same time? Well, If you’re having problems handling both your glasses and hearing aids, don’t worry, you aren’t alone! This is good news because it means that there are devices you can use to make things a little bit easier. Here are a few of those devices:
- Specially designed devices: Wearing your hearing aids and glasses together will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the wide variety of devices on the market created to do just that. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Retention bands: These bands go around the back of your glasses, and they help keep your glasses 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 sliding all over the place (and potentially taking your hearing aids at the same time). They’re a bit more subtle than a retention band.
These devices are made to keep you more comfortable by holding your glasses in position and securing your hearing aids.
Can glasses produce hearing aid feedback?
There are definitely some reports out there that glasses might cause feedback with your hearing aids. It isn’t a very common complaint but it does occur. But it’s also feasible that something else, like a speaker, is actually what’s triggering the feedback.
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 fixes.
The best way to use your hearing aids and glasses
Many of the problems related 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 right is the key!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
First put your glasses on. After all, your glasses are fairly rigid and they’re bigger, this means they have less wiggle room with regards to adjustments.
Once you have your glasses in place, place the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
Adjust both as necessary in order to be comfortable, then put the hearing aid microphone in your ear canal.
And that’s it! Sort of, there’s definitely a learning curve in terms of putting on and taking off your glasses without bumping your hearing aid out of position.
Take good care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses happens because the devices aren’t functioning as designed. Sometimes, things break! 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 get rid of earwax and debris.
- Be sure to clean your hearing aids at least once every week.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when you’re not wearing them.
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
For your glasses:
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not using them. Or, you can store them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- When your glasses are dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
- 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.
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both complex devices (even though they might not seem like it on the surface). So finding the best fit for your hearing aids and your glasses will typically call for a professional’s help.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need later on (this is because you’ll be avoiding problems rather than attempting to fix those problems).
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 need to be enemies. Certainly, needing both of these devices can cause some obstacles. But we can help you choose 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.
