Roughly one in six Australians live with hearing loss, and more than half the adult population wears glasses for vision correction. That overlap means millions of people need both devices daily. The question of whether hearing aids and glasses can coexist comfortably is not a minor concern. For anyone who relies on both, the physical fit directly affects whether the devices end up in a drawer or stay in use all day.
The short answer is yes. Hearing aids and glasses can be worn together without discomfort, provided the hearing aid style is chosen with your eyewear in mind and the fitting is handled by a qualified audiologist. The longer answer depends on which type of hearing aid you wear, the thickness of your glasses frames, and how both devices are positioned behind or inside your ear.
This guide covers hearing aid glasses compatibility across every major hearing aid style, offers specific fitting techniques for behind-the-ear devices, and explains what your audiologist can do to resolve pressure points and feedback issues.
Understanding the Physical Challenge
The root of the hearing aid and glasses compatibility issue is simple geometry. Behind-the-ear hearing aids and glasses temple arms both occupy the narrow ridge of skin between the top of your ear and your skull. When both devices sit in that same strip of space, they can press against each other, create sore spots, or shift position when you move.
The degree of interference depends on the bulk of the hearing aid body and the width of the glasses temple arm. A large BTE hearing aid paired with thick acetate frames will feel very different from a slim receiver-in-canal device paired with thin wire-frame glasses. The glasses hearing aid fit also varies between left and right ears, because many people have slight asymmetry in ear shape and size.
Pressure behind the ear is the most common complaint. Over the course of a full day, even mild pressure can become uncomfortable. Some people also report that their hearing aid shifts or dislodges when they remove their glasses, or that the glasses arm presses on the hearing aid microphone and causes feedback whistling.
Hearing Aid Styles and Their Glasses Compatibility
Not all hearing aid types interact with glasses the same way. The distinction comes down to where the device sits: inside the ear canal, or behind it.
In-the-Ear (ITE) and Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
ITE and CIC hearing aids sit entirely inside the ear canal and outer ear bowl. Because nothing rests behind the ear, these styles have zero physical interaction with glasses. You can wear any frame style, from thick wayfarers to wraparound sunglasses, and the hearing aid will not be affected. For glasses wearers who want the simplest possible setup, in-canal hearing aids eliminate the compatibility question entirely.
The trade-off is that ITE and CIC devices are best suited for mild to moderate hearing loss. They are also smaller, which can make battery changes and handling more difficult for people with dexterity challenges. Your audiologist will advise whether your hearing loss profile suits an in-canal device.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids
RIC hearing aids are the most popular style globally, and they work well with glasses for most people. The main body sits behind the ear, but it is significantly smaller and lighter than a traditional BTE device. A thin wire runs from the body to a receiver dome inside the ear canal. The compact behind-the-ear portion means less competition for space with the glasses temple arm.
Most RIC devices measure between 15 and 25 millimetres in height. When positioned correctly, the hearing aid body rests slightly above or behind the glasses arm rather than pressing directly against it. Many people wear RIC hearing aids with glasses for 12 to 16 hours a day without discomfort after the initial adjustment period.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
Traditional BTE hearing aids are the largest style that sits behind the ear. They house all electronics in a single casing that hooks over the top of the ear, connected to an earmould inside the ear canal via tubing. Because the casing is larger than a RIC device, BTE hearing aids can feel more crowded when paired with thick glasses frames.
BTE models are often recommended for severe to profound hearing loss because they deliver more amplification power. If you need a BTE device and wear glasses, your audiologist can select a model with a lower-profile casing and adjust the ear hook angle so both devices fit without overlapping. The BTE hearing aids glasses combination works best with thin or flexible temple arms, which reduce the crowding behind the ear that thicker frames create.
Practical Tips for Wearing Hearing Aids with Glasses
Beyond choosing the right hearing aid style, a few daily habits and fitting adjustments make wearing hearing aids with glasses far more comfortable.
Put Glasses On First
The most reliable technique is to slide your glasses on first, then place the hearing aid over the glasses temple arm so it sits between the arm and the top of your ear. Remove in reverse order: take the hearing aid off first, then remove your glasses. This sequence prevents the hearing aid from catching on the glasses arm and getting pulled out of position.
Using a mirror for the first few days helps you see exactly where both devices sit relative to each other. After a week or two, the motion becomes automatic.
Choose Thin Glasses Frames
If you are due for new glasses and know you will be wearing hearing aids, bring your hearing aids to the optometry appointment. Try on frames with the hearing aids in place. Titanium and stainless steel wire frames have the slimmest temple arms and leave the most room behind the ear. Acetate and thick plastic frames are the most likely to cause crowding.
Spring hinges that flex outward can also help. They allow the temple arm to bend slightly away from the head, creating a gap the hearing aid can occupy without pressure.
Adjust the Hearing Aid Position
Your audiologist can tilt the ear hook, shorten or lengthen the tubing, or reshape a custom earmould to change where the hearing aid sits. Even a two-millimetre shift can eliminate a pressure point. If you feel rubbing or soreness behind the ear, tell your audiologist at your next visit. They can make the adjustment in minutes.
For RIC devices, the audiologist can select a different receiver wire length. A shorter wire pulls the body closer to the head, while a longer wire lets it sit higher. The right length depends on your ear anatomy and frame thickness.
Address Feedback Early
Whistling or feedback from a behind-the-ear hearing aid sometimes occurs when the glasses temple arm sits too close to the hearing aid microphone. Sound leaks out of the ear canal, bounces off the glasses arm, and re-enters the microphone. This loop creates an audible whistle.
Resolving feedback involves adjusting the earmould fit for a tighter seal, repositioning the hearing aid so the microphone faces away from the glasses arm, or switching to a different dome size on a RIC device. Do not accept persistent feedback as normal. A properly fitted hearing aid should not whistle during regular wear.
When to Consider Switching Hearing Aid Styles
Some people start with a behind-the-ear device and find the glasses combination unmanageable despite adjustments. If pressure, feedback, or constant shifting continues after your audiologist has made reasonable fitting changes, switching to an in-the-ear style may be the practical solution.
The decision depends on your hearing loss severity. Mild to moderate loss is well served by ITE and CIC devices, which avoid the behind-the-ear space entirely. For more significant hearing loss where a behind-the-ear device is necessary, your audiologist can explore ultra-slim BTE models that reduce bulk while maintaining power output.
The SoundClear team at our Melbourne clinic regularly helps patients navigate this choice. A hearing aid is only effective if you wear it consistently, so comfort with your glasses is a legitimate factor in choosing the right device.
Glasses with Built-in Hearing Technology
A small number of manufacturers have developed eyewear with integrated hearing enhancement. These devices use bone conduction or directional microphone arrays built into the glasses frame to amplify sound without a separate hearing aid behind the ear. While interesting in concept, these products are generally suited for mild hearing loss and do not replace the amplification quality or custom programming that a dedicated hearing aid provides.
For people with moderate or greater hearing loss, traditional hearing aids remain the standard of care. Glasses-integrated hearing devices may become a viable option in future as the technology matures, but for now they serve a narrow segment of users.
Making the Combination Work Long Term
Wearing hearing aids with glasses is a daily routine that improves with consistency. After the initial fitting, give yourself two to three weeks to adapt. The sensation of two devices behind the ear feels unfamiliar at first but becomes unremarkable as your brain adjusts to the physical presence.
Schedule a follow-up appointment with your audiologist four to six weeks after your initial hearing aid fitting. This visit is the right time to report any pressure points, feedback, or comfort issues that have not resolved on their own. Small adjustments at this stage prevent larger problems down the track.
Clean both your hearing aids and your glasses regularly. Earwax and skin oils accumulate on the temple arms and hearing aid casing, which can cause the devices to stick together or slide out of position. A quick wipe with a dry cloth each evening keeps both clean and reduces friction.
If your glasses prescription changes and you switch to a new frame style, bring the new glasses to your next audiology appointment. A different frame thickness or temple arm shape can change how the hearing aid sits, and a minor adjustment may be needed to restore comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear hearing aids with glasses?
Yes. Most hearing aid styles work alongside glasses without issue. In-the-ear and completely-in-canal styles sit inside the ear canal and do not interact with glasses at all. Behind-the-ear and receiver-in-canal styles share space behind the ear with glasses temple arms, but with proper fitting and thin-frame glasses, most people wear both comfortably all day.
Which hearing aid style is best for glasses wearers?
In-the-ear and completely-in-canal hearing aids are the easiest option for glasses wearers because they sit entirely inside the ear and never touch the glasses. If you prefer or need a behind-the-ear style, receiver-in-canal devices are slimmer than traditional BTE models and tend to fit more comfortably alongside glasses temple arms.
How do you put on BTE hearing aids with glasses?
Put your glasses on first, then slide the hearing aid over the glasses temple arm so it sits behind your ear. The hearing aid should rest between the temple arm and the top of your ear. Remove the hearing aid first, then take off your glasses. Using a mirror during the first few days helps you get the positioning right.
Can glasses cause feedback in hearing aids?
Yes, glasses temple arms that press against a behind-the-ear hearing aid microphone can cause whistling or feedback. This happens when the arm blocks sound from escaping normally and reflects it back into the microphone. Your audiologist can adjust the hearing aid position, change the ear hook angle, or modify the earmould to eliminate this issue.
Do I need special glasses for hearing aids?
No special glasses are required, but thin-frame glasses with slim, flexible temple arms work best with behind-the-ear hearing aids. Thick or rigid frames take up more space behind the ear and can create pressure. Spring-hinged temples that flex outward can also make room for the hearing aid body. Your optometrist can recommend frame styles that pair well with hearing devices.
Works Cited
Australian Bureau of Statistics. "National Health Survey: Hearing Loss Prevalence." ABS, 2023, abs.gov.au.
Vision 2020 Australia. "Clear Focus: The State of Eye Health and Vision in Australia." Vision 2020 Australia, 2023, vision2020australia.org.au.
World Health Organization. "World Report on Hearing." WHO, 2021, who.int/publications/i/item/world-report-on-hearing.
Kochkin, Sergei. "MarkeTrak X: Hearing Aid Adoption, Satisfaction, and Technology Trends." Hearing Review, vol. 28, no. 3, 2022, pp. 12-28.
Hearing Industries Association. "HIA Quarterly Statistical Report: U.S. Hearing Aid Sales." HIA, 2024, hearing.org.