A Comprehensive Guide: Wearing Hearing Aids with Glasses

Tips and Techniques for Comfortably Wearing Hearing Aids and Glasses

Wearing hearing aids with glasses can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can achieve a comfortable and effective combination. Here are some expert tips to help you navigate this situation with ease:

  • Choose lightweight and properly fitting frames: Opt for glasses with lightweight frames that won’t add unnecessary pressure to your ears and temples. Ensure that the glasses fit properly, with the temples resting comfortably behind your ears and the nose pads adjusted to prevent any discomfort.
  • Hearing aids cost thousands, glasses cost hundreds, so choose your hearing aid first and then find a pair of glasses that work with the hearing aid.
  • Consult with your audiologist: Your audiologist is your best resource when it comes to finding the right solution for wearing hearing aids with glasses. They can provide tips to help you be successful.
  • Insert hearing aids before putting on glasses: To avoid any interference between your hearing aids and glasses, it’s generally recommended to insert the hearing aids first. This ensures that the glasses can be placed over the hearing aids without causing any displacement or discomfort.
  • Properly clean and maintain your hearing aids and glasses: Regular cleaning and maintenance of your hearing aids and glasses are crucial for ensuring optimal performance and comfort. Keep your hearing aids free from earwax buildup, and clean your glasses regularly to prevent any debris or smudges that may affect their fit or functionality.

The Best Hearing Aids to Wear with Glasses: Oticon Real 1

When it comes to finding the best hearing aids to wear with glasses, my top pick is the Oticon Real 1. These cutting-edge hearing aids offer exceptional features that address the common challenge of handling noise and wind interference when wearing glasses alongside hearing aids.

One common issue that arises when wearing hearing aids and glasses together is the sound of the glasses touching the microphones of the hearing aids. This contact can create bothersome handling noise, leading to an unpleasant listening experience. However, the Oticon Real 1 hearing aids have introduced innovative handling noise reduction technology to mitigate this problem.

With the advanced handling noise reduction feature, Oticon Real 1 hearing aids intelligently filter out and minimize the sounds produced by the glasses touching the microphones. This ensures that wearers can enjoy a clear and uninterrupted listening experience, free from the distraction of handling noise caused by glasses.

Additionally, the Oticon Real 1 hearing aids excel in reducing wind noise interference, another common challenge when wearing hearing aids and glasses simultaneously. The innovative technology incorporated in these hearing aids effectively reduces the impact of wind noise, allowing wearers to better focus on conversations and sounds of interest without being overwhelmed by environmental noise.

The combination of wind noise reduction and handling noise reduction in the Oticon Real 1 hearing aids makes them an excellent choice for individuals who wear glasses. These features work harmoniously to minimize the interference caused by glasses, enabling wearers to experience improved comfort and enhanced hearing performance.

Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids: Benefits and Considerations

Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) hearing aids offer a discreet and comfortable option for individuals who wear glasses. They are clearly the most popular hearing aids sold. Their advantages include:

  • Improved sound clarity: RIC hearing aids are designed to position the receiver in the ear canal, allowing for more natural sound transmission. This placement helps to deliver clearer and more accurate sound perception, enhancing your overall hearing experience while wearing glasses.
  • Less occlusion effect: The occlusion effect refers to the sensation of being “plugged up” when wearing hearing aids. RIC hearing aids mitigate this effect, as the receiver sits in the ear canal and reduces the blockage sensation. This is particularly beneficial for glasses wearers, as it minimizes any additional pressure or discomfort caused by both devices.

Combining RIC Hearing Aids with Glasses: Practical Tips

To optimize the experience of wearing RIC hearing aids with glasses, consider the following practical tips:

  1. Insert the RIC hearing aids before putting on your glasses: When getting ready in the morning, insert your RIC hearing aids first, ensuring they are comfortably positioned in your ear canals. This way, you can smoothly place your glasses over the hearing aids without any interference.
  2. Ensure the receiver wire is properly positioned: Take care to position the receiver wire of the RIC hearing aids behind your ear, ensuring it doesn’t get caught on the glasses’ temples or cause discomfort. Adjust the wire and the glasses’ position if necessary to achieve a balanced and secure fit.
  3. Communicate with your audiologist: Your audiologist can provide personalized guidance and adjustments for wearing RIC hearing aids with glasses. They can fine-tune the fit and settings of your hearing aids to ensure optimal comfort and performance, taking into consideration the specific design and features of both your hearing aids and glasses.

By implementing these practical tips, you can enjoy the benefits of RIC hearing aids while wearing glasses, enhancing your hearing capabilities and ensuring a comfortable fit throughout the day.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids and Their Advantages

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids are a popular choice due to their versatility and power. They offer several benefits for individuals who wear glasses, such as:

  • Enhanced sound quality and amplification: BTE hearing aids are known for their ability to provide clear and amplified sound, making them suitable for a wide range of hearing loss levels. This ensures that you can hear conversations, music, and other sounds effectively, even while wearing glasses.
  • Easy adjustment and control: BTE hearing aids typically have larger controls and buttons, making them easier to adjust and operate, especially for individuals who may have dexterity issues. This convenience extends to adjusting volume, changing programs, and accessing additional features without the need to remove or adjust your glasses.

How to Wear BTE Hearing Aids with Glasses

To ensure a comfortable fit and optimal performance when wearing BTE hearing aids with glasses, follow these steps:

  1. Place your glasses on your face first: Begin by positioning your glasses on your face, ensuring they sit properly on your ears and nose. This allows you to align the BTE hearing aids correctly without interference from the glasses’ temples.
  2. Position the BTE hearing aids over your ears: With your glasses in place, gently position the BTE hearing aids behind your ears. If your hearing aids have ear hooks or tubes, make sure they are correctly positioned and provide a secure fit.
  3. Replace hearing aid tubing every 3 months: BTE aids use a tube that conducts the sound into the ear canal. Over time the tubing gets stiff. When the tubing is stiff, the aids are more likely to cause problems with your glasses plus sound quality is diminished with stiff tubing.
  4. Double-check the positioning of both the glasses and hearing aids: Take a moment to ensure that both the glasses and hearing aids are properly aligned and comfortable. Adjust as needed to achieve a snug fit without any pressure points or discomfort.

By following these steps, you can confidently wear BTE hearing aids with glasses, experiencing enhanced hearing and maintaining comfort throughout the day.

Inside-the-Ear (ITE) and Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids: Exploring Their Benefits

Inside-the-Ear (ITE) and Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aids provide a discreet and cosmetically appealing option. They will not make direct contact with the glasses and so many glasses wearer prefer them. Their benefits include:

  • Customized fit for your ear canal: ITE and CIC hearing aids are individually tailored to fit the unique contours of your ear canal. This customized fit not only ensures maximum comfort but also helps to reduce feedback and improve sound quality, even when combined with glasses.
  • If behind your ear lacks space or has an oxygen cannula, this may be a good option.
  • Reduction of wind noise: The placement of ITE and CIC hearing aids within the ear canal provides a natural barrier against wind noise. This feature is particularly advantageous for glasses wearers, as it minimizes any additional noise interference caused by wind passing between the hearing aids and glasses.
  • Easier to use hearing aids for seniors.

Maximizing Comfort: Wearing ITE and CIC Hearing Aids with Glasses

To ensure optimal comfort when wearing ITE and CIC hearing aids with glasses, consider the following recommendations:

  1. Insert the hearing aids carefully: When inserting ITE or CIC hearing aids, take your time to ensure they sit comfortably in your ear canals. Make any necessary adjustments to achieve a secure fit without causing any pressure or discomfort.
  2. Put on your glasses gently: When putting on your glasses, do so gently and gradually. Take care not to displace the hearing aids or apply any excessive force that may affect their fit or positioning. A smooth and deliberate approach will help maintain a comfortable combination.
  3. Regularly clean and maintain your hearing aids and glasses: Proper maintenance of both your hearing aids and glasses is essential for ensuring optimal comfort and performance. Clean your hearing aids regularly to remove any earwax or debris that may affect their fit or functionality. Similarly, keep your glasses clean and free from smudges or dirt that can compromise their fit with the hearing aids.

Achieving Comfort and Functionality: The Ultimate Solution for Wearing Hearing Aids and Glasses

When it comes to wearing hearing aids and glasses together, achieving both comfort and functionality is the ultimate goal. To ensure a seamless combination, consider the following:

  • Consult with your audiologist: Your audiologist is an invaluable resource who can guide you toward the best solutions for wearing hearing aids and glasses comfortably. They can recommend specific hearing aid models and features that are compatible with glasses, as well as provide personalized fitting and adjustment services to optimize your experience.
  • Explore hearing aid options for glasses wearers: Advancements in hearing aid technology have led to the development of specific features that cater to glasses wearers. Look for hearing aids with features like slim designs, adjustable settings, and handling noise reduction that can accommodate the unique challenges of wearing hearing aids with glasses.
  • Opt for glasses with lightweight frames and adjustable nose pads: Choosing glasses with lightweight frames helps reduce the overall pressure on your ears, making them more comfortable to wear alongside hearing aids. Additionally, glasses with adjustable nose pads allow for a customizable fit that minimizes discomfort and ensures a secure positioning without interfering with your hearing aids.

Enhance Your Hearing Aid Experience with Ear Gear: Minimizing Wind Noise and Securing Your Devices

Wind noise can pose a challenge for hearing aid users, especially when combined with glasses. Fortunately, there is a practical $20 accessory called Ear Gear that can significantly improve your hearing aid experience in such situations. Let’s explore the benefits of using Ear Gear:

Reducing wind noise interference

Ear Gear acts as a protective sleeve that wraps around your hearing aids, effectively reducing wind noise that can cause disruptions or discomfort. The material used in Ear Gear absorbs and dampens the impact of wind, allowing you to enjoy a clearer and more focused sound. By minimizing wind noise, Ear Gear helps to enhance your overall hearing experience, making it easier to engage in conversations and listen to important sounds, even in windy conditions. This is the most economical way to not buy high-end hearing aids but get some of the benefits.

Securely holding hearing aids and glasses in place

One of the key advantages of Ear Gear is its ability to provide an extra layer of security for your hearing aids and glasses. By attaching Ear Gear to your hearing aids and connecting it to your glasses, you can ensure that both devices stay securely in place. This is especially beneficial during physical activities or movements that may cause the devices to shift or dislodge. With Ear Gear, you can have peace of mind knowing that your hearing aids and glasses are held securely, allowing you to focus on your daily activities without any worry.

Providing additional protection against moisture and dirt

Ear Gear not only reduces wind noise and keeps your devices secure but also offers protection against moisture, sweat, and dirt. This is particularly advantageous for individuals with active lifestyles or those who enjoy outdoor activities. By using Ear Gear, you can safeguard your hearing aids and prevent potential damage or malfunction caused by external elements. This additional layer of protection ensures the longevity and reliability of your devices, allowing you to make the most out of your hearing aid experience.

By incorporating Ear Gear into your daily routine, you can minimize wind noise, enhance the stability of your hearing aids and glasses, and provide valuable protection for your devices. This practical accessory truly enhances your overall hearing aid experience, allowing you to enjoy improved sound quality, increased comfort, and peace of mind throughout your day.

The Evolution of Hearing Aid Glasses: A Combination of Convenience and Limitations

Image courtesy of Historic Tech

In the past, when hearing aids were much larger in size, some innovative solutions emerged, such as hearing aid glasses. These specialized glasses were designed to incorporate the components of the hearing aids, providing a convenient all-in-one solution. However, this approach has become less common in recent years due to a number of limitations and drawbacks.

The concept of hearing aid glasses aimed to address the challenge of wearing both hearing aids and glasses simultaneously. By integrating the hearing aid technology directly into the glasses frame, individuals with hearing loss could benefit from improved hearing without the need for separate devices. This integration offered convenience, reducing the number of items to manage and ensuring that both hearing and vision needs were met in a single wearable solution.

However, the combination of hearing aid glasses also introduced significant limitations. One major drawback is the dependency on a single device for both hearing and vision. If the integrated hearing aid component of the glasses malfunctions or requires repair, it would render both the hearing aid and the glasses unusable. This simultaneous loss of hearing assistance and clear vision can present considerable challenges for individuals who rely on both hearing aids and glasses to navigate their daily lives.

As hearing aid technology has advanced, the focus has shifted towards smaller and more discreet devices, such as behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-the-canal (RIC), and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids. These modern hearing aids offer superior performance, increased comfort, and greater customization options while allowing individuals to wear their preferred style of glasses without any compromise to their vision correction needs.

Today, the majority of individuals choose to wear separate hearing aids and glasses, benefiting from the advancements in both technologies independently. This approach provides greater flexibility, as it allows for individual adjustments and upgrades as needed for each device. Additionally, wearing separate hearing aids and glasses ensures that if one device requires maintenance or replacement, the other remains functional, preventing the simultaneous loss of both hearing assistance and clear vision.

Jonathan Javid Au.D.

Jonathan Javid Au.D., a seasoned audiologist with an extensive background in the field of audiology. With over 11 years of invaluable clinical experience, Jonathan has dedicated his career to helping individuals enhance their hearing and improve their quality of life.

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