Wearing Hearing Aids with Glasses: A Complete Guide

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Hearing aids and glasses are two essential devices that many people rely on to improve their quality of life. However, wearing both of these devices together can pose a challenge.

The issue arises when the arms of the glasses interfere with the placement of the hearing aids behind the ears, causing discomfort or even dislodging the hearing aids.

This is especially true for people who wear behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, which are the most common type of hearing aid. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best practices for wearing hearing aids with glasses, including tips, tricks, and expert advice.

Whether you are a new user of hearing aids or a long-time wearer who recently started wearing glasses, this guide will help you overcome the challenges of wearing both devices together and enhance your overall experience.

Things to Know About Wearing Hearing Aids with Glasses

If you’re looking to give hearing aids a try, you should know beforehand that it has many different types:

In the Ear (ITE) Hearing Aid

This is the most basic type of hearing aid, as everything you’ll need from one already has it inside its mold.

And this mold should be customized to fit your ear’s impression in order to fill the ear opening appropriately.

This design makes it easier for the aid to be hidden in the back, but anyone can still see it when they’re close to you!

Receiver in the Canal (RIC) Hearing Aid

Also called Receiver in the Ear (RITE), you can consider this one as the opposite of the ITE.

Instead of having its processor and microphone built inside the mold itself, these are designed to be placed outside the ear while the only part left inside is the earbud containing the speaker.

Behind the Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid

This is considered to be the most common type out of all the hearing aids since it’s befitting for moderate to severe hearing loss.

At a glance, you might get confused because of how much it resembles the RIC, but it does have a crucial difference!

And that difference is: while the BTE still has an earbud, ALL of its components are encased behind the ear.

The mic, speaker, and everything else are connected by the thin tube to the earbud to keep it in place.

Once you’ve chosen what you think is the right hearing aid for you, then you’re all good to go!

But, of course, you might want to make another stop.

This time, it’s the optics store because, hey, not everyone’s blessed to have 20/20 vision, after all.

So, that’s where another problem makes itself known:

“Can you Wearing Hearing Aids with Glasses?”

Well, first off, if you chose an ITE, this issue won’t affect you that much.

No, this is for the RIC and BTE users because having a hearing aid that’s supposed to be attached to the outside of your ear would cause the space back there to get crowded.

And getting crowded is not what anyone would like to happen.

So this is what you can do to tackle this issue:

Line It Up

Since it’s much bigger, you should put your glasses on before your hearing aid!

Make sure it’s sitting properly and evenly on your face.

Tuck It In

Next, hook the tube over your ear. Ensure it’s tucked there nicely, so your glasses don’t rub against the hearing aid and leave it skewed.

Once it’s secured around the back of your ear, push the earbud inside.

Then, ta-dah! You can now Wear Hearing Aids with Glasses as wearers out there!

Now, maybe you’re looking to swap your glasses for a pair of shades because perhaps the day’s too sunny, and your eyes need additional protection.

Does that mean you’ll have to take off your hearing aid again?

Well, not necessarily; however, if you’re okay with starting things over, then go ahead.

But if not, here’s what you should do:

Slow and Steady

Be extra careful in taking your glasses off- do this too quickly, and you’ll dislodge your hearing aid, that’s for sure.

Don’t move your glasses up or down when you’re taking them off!

That habit will make it easier for your hearing aid to pop right out of there and go swan diving to the floor.

No, what you need to do is slip it straight off without changing directions.

Hold your hearing aid to your ear while you do that. One can never be too careful, after all.

Slip In-Between

So, you got your replacement pair of glasses in hand.

What you’ll want to do next is to make some space for your glasses by moving the ear hook a bit.

Then, carefully slip your glasses on.

Make sure to have its temples pressed close to the back of your ear, though, or else it might get all tangled up with your hearing aid, 

Ouch, just writing about this is making my ears go sore!

Anyways, so now that you know the basics, you might learn that it’s not enough today, since 2020- 2022 (and onwards!), where everyone diligently has to wear face masks.

That’s a brand new hurdle right there because “isn’t wearing a mask needs the elastic cords over your ears, too?”

And you’re right to worry about that!

Are you having your hearing aid, your glasses, AND elastic cords on top of each other? 

Oh boy, that sounds like a tangled-up warzone just about to happen.

But, to keep that from happening, here’s a tip that’s sure to be helpful:

Use a mask clip.

Through this, instead of having the elastic cords fit your ears, they’ll be hooked by a mask clip that’s placed at the back of your head!

If you don’t have a mask clip, you can turn to DIY and use a button extender.

All you need to do there is to loop the cords around the buttons, and that’s that.

If you don’t have that, too, then go with a monkey in your monkey barrel!

All you’ll need is one, so that’s going to be your designated mask buddy holding you together, like Atlas.

Seeing it’s bound to get a chuckle out of someone, right?

Tips to Wear Hearing Aids with Glasses

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, wearing hearing aids with glasses can be challenging, but it is not impossible.

By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide and seeking expert advice when needed, you can comfortably wear both devices and improve your hearing and vision simultaneously.

Remember to prioritize comfort and fit, and don’t hesitate to try out different options until you find the right combination that works for you. With patience and perseverance, you can successfully integrate hearing aids and glasses into your daily routine and enhance your overall quality of life.

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Author

Tessa Reynolds
Meet Tessa Reynolds, who lives in Denver, Colorado. She likes to write about sunglasses, and eye makeup so that she can share her knowledge, and help all the people who need something for their eyes. When she is not writing, you can find her skiing in the mountains of Colorado.