Is it even possible to comfortably wear hearing aids at the same time as you are wearing your glasses, despite the fact that the two don’t seem very compatible? If you are considering a behind-the-ear (BTE) device, this common question is even more relevant. People often question whether or not they can work together comfortably. The answer is yes.
People who wear glasses need to consider some things before buying hearing aids. Use these guidelines to make sure your hearing aids and glasses work well together.
Choosing The Hearing Aids Which Best Fit Your Needs
There are a lot of things, in general, to think about when purchasing new hearing aids. Hearing aids come in all shapes, styles, and sizes. You can even get them in a fancy color if you like. Today’s advanced hearing aids are a lot better than your grandpa’s.
Begin your research by really understanding what styles of hearing aids are available. 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 with nothing mounted behind the ear.
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) – This is an older style of hearing aid, but today’s version of this technology is far more advanced. With this model, the main section of the device mounts right behind the ear with clear tubing that connects to an earmold resting in the opening of the ear canal. Open-fit versions are essentially the same setup but without the earmold.
- In-the-canal (ITC) – This style is very much like the ITE version but it sits deeper inside the ear, making them nearly invisible.
If you wear glasses, you can stay clear of a lot of issues with ITE and ITC versions. Once you choose the physical style, it’s time to compare the features of different hearing aids.
Considering The Features
It’s really the features not the shape of the hearing aid that should be your prime concern when researching. Advancing hearing aid technology is causing features to change all of the time. Watch for some of these common ones:
- Noise reduction – Filters out background noise by amplifying one channel to enhance speech.
- T-coil – This feature enables you to hear better while talking on a land-line phone. T-coil technology is effective when you are listening to people talk through a speaker like at church or on the radio.
- Directional microphone – This will help pinpoint the sound you need to hear when you are in a noisy spot. For instance, if someone is talking to you at a cafe, you can hear their words clearly despite the noise around you.
Your aim is to find the right set of features to fit your lifestyle. After that selecting the style should be easy.
Can You Even Wear BTE Hearing Aids With Glasses?
It is possible to wear BTE hearing aids at the same time as glasses. If you want them to be comfortable you need to wear both of these important accessories the right way. Here are some tips:
- Practice removing your glasses by pulling them forward with both hands instead of up with one. It will take time to make this movement a habit. The practice will be reinforced each time you knock off your hearing aid.
- Get in the habit of putting your glasses on first and then your hearing aids. Placement of the hearing aid unit is a little bit more flexible so you can maneuver it around the arm of the glasses to make it comfortable. After placing the hearing aid, look in a mirror to be sure it’s not hanging from your outer ear.
- Select the correct size BTE before you commit to a purchase. There is the traditional version, which is a little bulky but can still work with glasses. The mini BTE is a fairly new alternative. Reduced feedback and enhanced comfort are gained by making the behind the ear portion smaller. Either of these will work with glasses but find out which style fits you best.
ITE and ITC styles will be the only possibilities for those people that can’t use a BTE device with their glasses. If you of your glasses frequently, as an example, a BTE device will be a real hassle. 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. Use this trial to determine if you can wear both or not.