Is it feasible to comfortably wear hearing aids at the same time as you are wearing your glasses, even though the two don’t seem very harmonious? If you are thinking about a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, this common question is even more pertinent. Here’s the question, can I wear them both comfortably? The answer is yes.
Before buying hearing aids, there are a few things to consider if you wear glasses. Learn the strategies to wearing glasses and hearing aids at the same time.
What Style of Hearing Aids Will Work Best for Your Needs?
There are quite a few factors, in general, to look at when buying new hearing aids. Shape, style, and size are all personalizations that are available. If you like cool colors, you can get that too. Today’s advanced hearing aids are not like your grandpa’s.
Start your research by really understanding what kinds of hearing aids are on the market. They divide into three basic categories:
- In-the-ear (ITE) – As the name implies, this format of hearing aid fits right into the opening of the ear canal and has nothing sitting behind the ear.
- In-the-canal (ITC) – This style is a lot like the ITE version but it sits deeper into the ear, making them nearly invisible.
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) – This is an older style of hearing aid, but today’s version of this technology is way more advanced. With this model, the main section of the device mounts directly behind the ear with clear tubing that connects to an earmold sitting in the opening of the ear canal. Open-fit versions are pretty much the same setup except without the earmold.
There are advantages and drawbacks to each style, but if you wear glasses, ITE and ITC hearing aids will save you from a lot of issues. You can go over the many features of a new hearing aid, but first, you need to decide on a style.
Learning About The Features
Essentially, it’s really the features that should drive your purchase as you look for hearing aids, not the shape. Features are getting better all of the time as hearing aid technology improves. Some common ones to watch for include:
- Noise reduction – Filters out background noise by amplifying one channel to augment speech.
- Directional microphone – This will help pinpoint the sound you need to hear while you are in a noisy spot. For example, if someone is talking to you at a restaurant, you can hear their words easily in spite of the noise around you.
- T-coil – This function permits you to hear better while using a land-line phone. T-coil technology is useful if you are listening to people talk through a speaker like at a bingo game or at the movies.
Determining the best features to fit your lifestyle is the goal. After that selecting the style should be easy.
Wearing BTE Hearing Aids With Glasses
BTE hearing aids can be worn while your wearing glasses. The secret is to wear both of these essential accessories correctly, so they fit comfortably. Here are some tips:
- Practice removing your glasses by pulling them forward with both hands instead of pulling them up with one. Removing them in this way won’t become a habit immediately. Each time you knock off your hearing aids, though, will help to reinforce the practice.
- Consider the size of the BTE hearing aids before buying. There is the standard version, which is a little bit bulky but can still work with glasses. The mini BTE is a relatively new option. Minimized feedback and enhanced comfort are gained by making the behind the ear portion smaller. Either of these will work with glasses but see which style fits you best.
- Get in the habit of putting your glasses on first and then your hearing aids. You can work the placement of your hearing aid around the arm of your glasses which sits a little more rigidly. To be certain that the hearing aid isn’t hanging off your outer ear, after you position it, look in the mirror.
The only choice for those who have a real issue using a BTE device with glasses would be the ITE or ITC models. If you take your glasses off a lot, for example, a BTE device will be a real inconvenience. This combination will also be a hassle for people with small ears and for children. Which style is best for you can be determined if you schedule an appointment with a hearing aid specialist and take advantage of the free trial. Trying the different styles is the only way you will know which style works best for your needs.