Movies and TV shows tend to utilize close-ups (sometimes 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 likely consciously aware of). It’s no stretch to say that human beings are extremely facially centered.
So having all of your chief human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is jam packed (in a visually wonderful way, of course).
But when your face requires more than one assistive device, it can become an issue. It can become a little cumbersome when you use a hearing aid and wear glasses simultaneously, for instance. It can be fairly difficult in some situations. These tips on how to use hearing aids and glasses simultaneously can help you manage those challenges, and get you ready for your (metaphorical) closeup!
Do hearing aids conflict with wearing glasses?
As both your eyes and your ears will frequently need a little assistance, it’s common for people to be worried that their eyeglasses and hearing aids could impair each other. That’s because there are physical limitations on both the shape of eyeglasses and the placement of hearing aids. Wearing them together can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few primary challenges can arise:
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the consequence of all those things hanging off your face. Mostly this occurs because neither your hearing aid nor glasses are fitting properly.
- Poor audio quality: It isn’t unheard of for your glasses to push your hearing aids out of position, resulting in less than perfect audio quality.
- Pressure: Somehow, both hearing aids and eyeglasses need to be attached to your face; frequently, they use the ear as an effective anchor. However, having both a hearing aid and a pair of eyeglasses mounted on your ears can cause a sense of pain and pressure. This can also create strain and pressure around the temples.
So can hearing aids be used with glasses? Of course you can! Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn with glasses effectively, though it might seem like they’re contradictory.
How to use hearing aids and glasses at the same time
It might take a little bit of work, but whatever your style of hearing aid, it can be compatible with your glasses. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. Inside-the-canal hearing aids are very small and fit almost completely inside the ear so they aren’t really relevant here. 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. They’re attached by a wire to a speaker that sits in your ear canal. You should talk to us about what type of hearing aid is best for your requirements (they each have their own benefits and disadvantages).
If you wear 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. To be able to hear adequately, some individuals need a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses may need some adjustment
The level of comfort you get from your hearing aid will considerably depend on the style and type of glasses you have. If you wear large BTE devices, get some glasses that have slimmer frames. Seek advice from your optician to select a glasses style that will suit your hearing aids.
And it’s also significant to be certain your glasses fit correctly. They shouldn’t be too slack or too tight. If your glasses are jiggling around all over the place, you could compromise your hearing aid results.
Using accessories is okay
So how can glasses and hearing aids be worn together? There are a lot 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 there are devices you can use to make things just a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market designed specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Devices include pieces of cloth that hold your hearing aids in place and glasses with hearing aids built right in.
- 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 function like a retention band but are less obvious.
- Retention bands: You attach these bands to your glasses to help keep them in place. If you’re a more active person, these are a practical idea.
The goal with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in position, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
There are definitely some accounts out there that glasses might trigger feedback with your hearing aids. And it does occur, but it’s not the most prevalent complaint. In some cases, 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, get in touch with us about possible solutions.
How to put on your hearing aids and glasses
If you make certain that your devices are properly worn you can avoid many of the problems linked to using glasses and hearing aids together. Having them fit well is the key!
You can do that by using these tips:
Put your glasses put first. 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 position, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be against your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can put the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
And that’s it! That being said, you will still need some practice taking off your glasses and putting them back on 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 taken care of, the discord between the two can be amplified. Things break sometimes! But with some maintenance, those breakages can be prevented.
For your hearing aids:
- Be sure to recharge your battery when needed (if your hearing aid is rechargeable).
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
- Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when you aren’t wearing them.
- The correct tools (a soft pick and a brush) should be utilized to eliminate earwax and debris.
For your glasses:
- Clean your glasses when they get dirty. Usually, this is at least once a day!
- To clean your glasses, make use of a soft, microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels or even your shirt, as this may scratch your lenses.
- Take your glasses to your optician if they stop fitting properly.
- Store your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. Or, you can keep them in a safe dry place if you don’t have a case.
Professional help is occasionally needed
Hearing aids and glasses are both specialized devices (even though they might not seem like it at first glance). This means that it’s crucial to speak with professionals who can help you determine the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
The more help you get in advance, the less help you will need later on (this is because you’ll be preventing problems rather than attempting to fix those problems).
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 have to fight with each other. Yes, needing both of these devices can create some challenges. But we can help you pick the right 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.