How to Wear Hearing Aids with Glasses: Fit, Feedback & Tips

Many people use both hearing aids and glasses every day. If you’re wondering how to wear hearing aids with glasses comfortably, you’re not alone. With a few simple adjustments to how you put them on, how they fit behind your ears, and how you care for them, you can usually wear both without slipping, soreness, or whistling feedback.

Understanding How Glasses and Hearing Aids Fit Together

Most people who wear both devices use behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. These sit on top of your outer ear, while your glasses rest on the bony area just behind the ear. When space is tight, they can press against each other and cause discomfort or feedback.

Knowing where each device should sit makes it easier to get a secure, comfortable fit for both your vision and your hearing.

Types of Hearing Aids That Sit Near Your Glasses

Not all hearing aids interact with glasses the same way. If you are choosing new devices, it may help to understand your options:

Traditional BTE hearing aids: These rest behind the ear with a tube or wire going into the ear canal. They share space with your glasses temple arms.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids: Similar to BTE, but smaller. They also sit behind the ear and may be more comfortable with glasses because of the slimmer design.
In-the-ear (ITE) or completely-in-canal (CIC) styles: These sit inside the ear and do not compete for space behind the ear, so they are usually easier to use with glasses.

If you already wear BTE hearing aids with glasses, the following steps can help you get both devices to work together more smoothly.

How to Put On Glasses and Hearing Aids in the Right Order

The order in which you put on your glasses and hearing aids can make a big difference in comfort and stability. Try these steps to see what feels best for you.

Option 1: Glasses First, Then Hearing Aids

This is the most common method and works well for many people with BTE hearing aids.

Place your glasses on your nose and over your ears as usual.
Gently flex the glasses’ temple arms outward so they sit comfortably without pinching.
Next, place your hearing aids behind your ears, making sure they sit slightly above or behind the glasses arms, not directly on top of them.
Insert the dome or earmold into your ear canal last, adjusting it until it feels snug but not painful.

Option 2: Hearing Aids First, Then Glasses

Some people prefer to place their hearing aids first, especially if they have thicker glasses frames.

Position the hearing aids behind your ears and insert the domes or earmolds.
Carefully slide your glasses on, guiding the temple arms under or alongside the hearing aids.
Check that the glasses do not push the hearing aids out of place or press them tightly into your skin.

Try both orders for a few days each and choose the one that gives you the best balance of comfort, stability, and sound quality.

Getting a Comfortable Fit with Glasses and Hearing Aids Together

Small fit changes can make a big difference when wearing both devices every day.

Adjusting Glasses for Hearing Aid Comfort

Glasses adjustments for hearing aids can relieve pressure behind your ears and reduce slipping. Consider:

Thinner or lighter frames: Narrow, lightweight temple arms usually leave more room for BTE hearing aids with glasses.
Frame angle and curve: An optician can adjust how your glasses wrap around your ears so they sit comfortably alongside your devices.
Proper length of temple arms: Arms that are too short may press against your hearing aids; properly fitted arms distribute pressure more evenly.

Bring your hearing aids to your next eye exam so your eye care professional can see how both devices fit together and adjust your glasses while you are wearing them.

Keeping Hearing Aids Stable Behind Your Ears

If your hearing aids tend to slip when you move, sweat, or remove your glasses, stability accessories may help:

Anti-slip hooks for glasses: These small silicone pieces attach to your glasses’ temple arms and help keep them from sliding forward, which also helps keep hearing aids in place.
Retention bands for glasses or hearing aids: Soft bands that connect to your glasses or hearing aids can add extra security, especially if you are active or worried about losing a device.
Hearing aid clips and cords: These attach your hearing aids to your clothing so they will not fall to the ground if they are knocked off when removing your glasses.

Ask your hearing care provider about accessories that are compatible with your specific hearing aids.

Reducing Hearing Aid Feedback with Glasses

Hearing aid feedback with glasses often sounds like whistling or squealing. It usually occurs when sound leaks out of your ear canal and is picked up again by the hearing aid microphone. Glasses can sometimes shift the hearing aid or earmold just enough to cause this problem.

Common Causes of Feedback When Wearing Both

Hearing aid out of position: If glasses push the hearing aid away from your head, the microphone may pick up its own amplified sound.
Poorly fitting dome or earmold: If the part in your ear is too small or not seated correctly, sound can leak out and cause feedback.
Volume set too high: Higher volume increases the chance of feedback, especially if the aid is not aligned correctly.

Practical Ways to Cut Down on Feedback

Put on your glasses and hearing aids in the same order every time to keep the position consistent.
After both are on, gently adjust the hearing aid behind your ear so it sits flat and secure.
Push the dome or earmold slightly deeper (but still comfortable) to improve the seal.
Turn down the volume slightly if you notice whistling, then adjust your position and volume as needed.

If you regularly hear feedback even after adjusting, contact your hearing care professional. They may be able to adjust your earmold, change the dome size, or fine-tune your hearing aid settings.

Everyday Hearing Aid Maintenance Tips When You Wear Glasses

Wearing both devices means more contact with skin, hair products, and sweat. Good care can help your hearing aids last longer and work more reliably.

Daily Care for Your Hearing Aids

Wipe your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth at the end of the day to remove oils and moisture.
Check the microphones and sound openings for any visible debris and clean them with the tools provided by your hearing care provider.
Store your hearing aids in a dry, safe case when you are not wearing them. A drying kit or dehumidifier may be recommended in some cases.

Safe Removal with Glasses

How you take off your glasses and hearing aids matters too:

Remove your glasses slowly, pulling them straight forward instead of up and off, to avoid catching the hearing aids.
If your hearing aids come off with your glasses, practice holding the hearing aid in place with one hand while removing the glasses with the other.
Always check that both hearing aids are still behind your ears after you adjust or remove your glasses.

When to Talk to a Professional

If you continue to have pain, pressure marks, slipping devices, or ongoing feedback while wearing glasses and hearing aids together, it may be time to get help from a professional.

Hearing care provider: Can adjust the fit of your hearing aids, change domes or earmolds, recommend accessories, and fine-tune your settings.
Eye care professional: Can adjust frame fit, recommend different styles of glasses, or change the angle and length of the temple arms.

Make sure to bring both your glasses and your hearing aids to these appointments so adjustments can be made with everything in place.

Living Comfortably with Hearing Aids and Glasses

Learning how to wear hearing aids with glasses often comes down to small changes: the order you put them on, minor glasses adjustments, the right accessories, and regular hearing aid maintenance. With a bit of practice and guidance from your hearing care and eye care professionals, most people are able to wear both comfortably and enjoy clear hearing and vision throughout their day.