Buying hearing aids

Guide: Wearing hearing aids with glasses

Last update on Jun, 10, 2023

The ability to see and hear is crucial, but how do you comfortably manage both when you wear glasses and hearing aids? Let us be the first to reassure you that this is incredibly common, and eyewear and hearing aids can harmoniously coexist.

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Tips: Wearing eyeglasses with hearing aids

If you’re wearing a hearing aid with glasses, try the following for a more comfortable fit.

Don’t let it get too crowded behind the ears. To allow more room for your hearing aid, choose a glasses frame with thin wire temples (aka the piece that goes behind your ears).
The order in which you put your glasses on and hearing aids in matters! Your glasses should always go on first. Then, carefully place the hearing aid between the glass’ temples and the outer ear. It might not feel like a perfect fit right away. Adjust your hearing aids and glasses until they are comfortable—they should be snug but not uncomfortable. Before you move on with your day, make sure your hearing aid isn’t hanging away from the outer ear.
Avoid tilting your glasses when taking them off, as it may knock your hearing aids out of place. Leveling in a forward and backward motion should do the trick.
Try standing in front of a mirror the first few times to get the hang of it, and always use both hands.

Don’t be afraid to practice! Wearing hearing aids with glasses can initially feel a bit odd, but with a little time spent working on getting everything adjusted, it can transform daily life for the better.

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What are the best hearing aids for glasses wearers?

Navigating wearing a hearing aid with glasses might seem daunting, but you have options. Below, we explore the pros and cons of wearing glasses with three popular styles of hearing aids:

	Pros	Cons
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids	With some adjusting, these easy-to-use hearing aids will sit nicely on the glass's temples.	Glasses with thick temples plus a BTE hearing aid might feel too crowded behind the ear. Consider frames with a thinner temple.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids	ITE hearing aids are unnoticeable from behind and straight on and don’t interfere with glasses.	People with dexterity issues might have trouble handling tiny ITE hearing aids, but overall, they are a great option if you wear glasses.
Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) hearing aids	The small case behind the ear is easy to navigate around with the glasses’ temples.	To avoid disturbing the hearing aid, some practice putting on glasses and taking them off may be required.

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Many hearing aid features may or may not apply to your lifestyle, but you want to ensure the ones you use the most will be there when you need them. Be sure to talk to your Miracle-Ear hearing specialist to compare all the hearing aid features you need to live your best life. Book an appointment near you.

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Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids

A behind-the-ear hearing aid’s defining feature is exactly what you might expect. The hearing aid rests behind the ear, with a tube helping to transmit sound into the ear. While BTE hearing aids work for nearly all types and degrees of hearing loss, those who wear glasses might need to spend a bit more time finding a comfortable fit—but it is very easy and doable.

Top behind-the-ear hearing aid benefits center around comfort and ease.

Because the device sits outside the ear and not in it, some people find BTE hearing aids more comfortable. Plus, ear canal size isn’t a factor.
They’re easy to use, handle, and maintain, thanks to their larger size and easy-to-access controls.
Compared to other hearing aids, BTE hearing aids are more powerful and can feature a larger battery for better amplification and longer life.

When wearing BTE hearing aids, you should be extra thoughtful about putting your glasses on first. You’ll likely find that the hearing aid will sit neatly around the glasses’ temples. Those thin, metal temples we mentioned earlier are a smart choice if you’re navigating how to wear glasses with hearing aids. Your optician can help you find the right pair, and a Miracle-Ear hearing care professional is always available to help you select the correct size BTE hearing aid.

In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids

Unlike BTE models with hearing aid parts that sit behind the ear, inside-the-ear hearing aids only have an earmold that fits directly inside the ear. All of the working components in this type of hearing aid are built right into the earmold, which is custom-fitted for comfort.

Inside-the-ear hearing aids benefits include the following:

ITE hearing aids are discreet and can’t be seen from behind or straight on.
Because ITE hearing aids are custom-made, they provide a nearly perfect fit.
They’re very durable since the working parts are all protected inside the earmold.

ITE hearing aids are an ideal choice if you wear glasses because there’s no overlap behind the ears. This may be an especially appealing option if you’re taking your glasses off regularly throughout the day.

Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) hearing aids

RIC hearing aids consist of a receiver that sits in the ear and a small case containing a microphone and processor that sits behind the ear. This might sound like the same thing as BTE hearing aids, but RICs are generally much smaller, and BTEs do not have a receiver that goes in the ear. RIC hearing aids are the most popular hearing aid style and a great option for people who have mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.

Below are some of the benefits of RIC hearing aids:

There’s less chance of feedback because the microphone and receiver are further away from each other compared to BTE hearing aids.
Some people find RIC hearing aids more comfortable to wear than BTEs because the case that sits behind the ear is smaller. Compared to ITE hearing aids, RIC hearing aids don’t block the ear completely.
Different power levels can accommodate varying levels of hearing loss.

When wearing RIC hearing aids, you should take care when putting on glasses and removing them. But compared to BTE hearing aids, you’ll likely find the experience easier, as the smaller case behind the ear means there’s less to navigate around with the glasses’ temples.

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Have more questions about wearing hearing aids and glasses or how to choose hearing aids that are right for you? Schedule a Miracle-Ear appointment, and you’ll meet with a hearing care professional who will be happy to help you find the right hearing aid and support you through the entire process.