If you wear both hearing aids and sunglasses, you may wonder if your sunglasses will interfere with your hearing aids. Nearly 28.8 million Americans could benefit from wearing hearing aids, but many people don’t take advantage of their benefits for various reasons.
Hearing aids and sunglasses occupy similar real estate around your ears and can sometimes feel like they’re in each other’s way. Fortunately, many people comfortably wear both, and with some awareness and adjustments, you can too.
Why the Fit Matters
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids rest just behind the ear where the arms of your sunglasses sit. When both are trying to use the same space, there could be a few inconveniences:
- Potential for knocking the hearing aid loose when putting sunglasses on or taking them off
- Feedback or clicking sounds
- Discomfort
These problems are more noticeable if your hearing aids or sunglasses have a bulkier design, or if your ears are smaller and offer less surface area for a secure fit.
Tips to Help Sunglasses and Hearing Aids Get Along
You don’t have to choose between shading your eyes this summer at Balboa Park and hearing well. Here are a few tips to make wearing both more comfortable:
- Talk to your eye doctor to find sunglasses suitable for wearing with hearing aids.
- Talk to your hearing specialist to understand if BTE hearing aids are the best for your lifestyle.
- Choose sunglasses with thinner arms that won’t press hard against the hearing aids.
- Put your hearing aids on after your sunglasses to reduce the chance of knocking them out of place.
- Look into hearing aid retention accessories, like clips or retention cords, to keep devices secure.
- Consider custom earmolds, which may provide a more secure fit and reduce movement from glasses.
When to Talk to a Professional
If you consistently struggle to wear both comfortably, or if you’re noticing changes in how well your hearing aids function while wearing sunglasses, it’s worth bringing up with your hearing specialist. Sometimes, small adjustments in fit or programming can solve the problem.
With the right strategies and possibly a few design tweaks, your sunglasses and hearing aids can coexist comfortably. To find the right pair of hearing aids to suit your lifestyle, contact San Diego Hearing Center today.