If I Have a Hearing Aid in, Can I Still Wear my Glasses?

Is it possible to comfortably wear hearing aids at the same time as you are wearing your glasses, although the two don't seem very harmonious? How to wear both is a question that comes up a lot, especially if you are thinking about behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. People often wonder whether or not they can work together comfortably. Yes is the answer.

If you wear glasses, there are some things to consider when purchasing hearing aids. Learn the strategies to wearing glasses and hearing aids together.

There Are Several Styles of Hearing Aids That May Work For Your Needs

There are a lot of things, in general, to consider when purchasing new hearing aids. You can get hearing aids in many styles, shapes, and sizes. You can even get them in fancy colors if you're into that kind of thing. Modern high tech hearing aids are not like the ones that grandpa used.

The first step is to learn what kinds of hearing aids are available. They divide into three basic categories:

• Behind-the-ear (BTE) – This is an older style of hearing aid, but today's version of this technology is much more advanced. With this style, 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 models are basically the same setup except without the earmold.
• In-the-ear (ITE) – As the name suggests, this format of hearing aid fits right into the opening of the ear canal and has nothing mounted behind the ear.
• In-the-canal (ITC) – This style is very much like the ITE model but it sits deeper inside the ear, making them pretty much invisible.

ITE and ITC models will allow people with glasses to avoid many hurdles. You can compare the many features of a new hearing aid, but first, you need to choose the right style.

Understanding The Features

When purchasing, it's the features that should be your number one concern not the shape of the hearing aid. Hearing aid technology is evolving all the time, so features constantly change. Watch for some of these common ones:

• Directional microphone – This will help pinpoint the sound you need to hear when you are in a noisy location. For example, if someone is talking to you at a restaurant, you will be able to hear their speech clearly despite the noise around you.
• T-coil – This feature allows you to hear better while talking on a land-line phone. T-coil technology is useful when you are listening to people talk through a speaker like at church or on the radio.
• Noise reduction – Filters out background noise by amplifying one channel to augment speech.

Finding the right features to fit your lifestyle is the objective. Then the style of the hearing aid can be selected.

Can You Even Wear BTE Hearing Aids With Glasses?

BTE hearing aids can be worn while your wearing glasses. If you want them to fit together comfortably you need to wear both of these important accessories the proper way. Here are some tips:

• Practice taking your glasses off by pulling them forward with both hands instead of up with one. It will take a little time before you get into the habit of removing them this way. Every time you knock off your hearing aids, though, will help to reinforce the practice.
• Before you make a purchase look closely at the size of the BTE. Despite the fact that it's a little bit bulky, the standard version will still work with glasses. The other alternative is a fairly new style called mini BTE. The part that goes behind the ear is a lot smaller for increased comfort and also to reduce the feedback that you sometimes have with the BTE devices. The only sure way to know which one will be best for you is to try them both out.
• First put on your glasses, then your hearing aid. You can maneuver your hearing aid around the arm of your glasses which is a little more rigid. To be certain that the hearing aid isn't hanging off your outer ear, after you place it, check in the mirror.

The only solution for those who have a real issue using a BTE hearing aid with glasses would be the ITE or ITC devices. For instance, if you take your glasses off a lot, BTE devices will be a much greater burden. Children will typically have trouble with this type of hearing aid and also adults with small ears. If you schedule an appointment with a hearing aid professional you can get a free trial period to find out which style fits your lifestyle. Use this trial to see if you can wear both or not.