How to wear hearing aids with glasses: a comfort and fit guide
30 March 2026
In short: You can comfortably wear glasses and hearing aids together. Choose frames with slim, lightweight arms. Put on your glasses first, then settle the hearing aid alongside the glasses arm so neither pushes the other out of place. Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids leave the most room. Spectacle hearing aids, which build the hearing technology into the frame, are also an option for some types of hearing loss.
Who this guide is for:
- Eyeglass wearers who've just been fitted with new hearing aids.
- People whose current glasses feel crowded or uncomfortable next to their hearing aid.
- Anyone choosing a new pair of glasses to wear alongside a hearing aid.
Can you wear a hearing aid with spectacles?
Yes, and lots of people do. Wearing glasses and hearing aids together is very common. Hearing aids and glasses both sit around the outer ear, and most modern hearing devices are slim enough to share that space with the arms of your glasses. When both are fitted correctly, neither affects the other.
Hearing loss affects around 1 in 3 adults in the UK, according to the RNID, and many of them wear glasses too.
Three things make the biggest difference:
- The hearing aid style. Some sit behind the ear; some sit inside it.
- Your frames. Slim, straight arms leave room for the device.
- The order you put them on. Glasses first, hearing aid second.
It makes sense to look after your hearing health and your eye health together. An audiologist looks after your hearing care and an optician looks after your vision.
What are the best hearing aids for glasses wearers?
Your hearing needs come first and your glasses second. A hearing test with an audiologist will show which styles suit your level of hearing loss. After that, the right hearing aid for a glasses wearer is usually the one that takes up the least space behind the ear.
| Hearing aid type | Where it sits | Room left for a glasses arm | Typical hearing loss range* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behind-the-ear (BTE) | Behind the ear, with a tube into an ear mould | Least: shares the space directly | Mild to profound |
| Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) | Small body behind the ear, receiver inside the ear canal | More: smaller housing tucks in easily | Mild to severe |
| In-the-ear (ITE) | Inside the outer ear and ear canal | Most: nothing behind the ear | Mild to severe, depending on size |
*Your audiologist will confirm which style suits your hearing.
Rechargeable models are worth asking about too. They charge overnight in a case, so you won't have to change tiny batteries around your glasses arms.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
A BTE device sits behind the ear and sends sound through a slim tube into an ear mould or ear tip. BTE aids give strong, reliable amplification, so they suit most levels of hearing loss. The device shares the narrow space behind your ear with your glasses arm, so frame choice matters most with this style. Thin, straight arms stop the two from stacking up.
Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids
RIC hearing aids are shaped like a BTE but have a smaller body. The receiver, which is the part that plays sound, sits inside the ear canal instead. That smaller body tucks in more easily beside a glasses arm, so a RIC is often more comfortable if you wear glasses all day.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
ITE hearing aids are custom-made to fit inside your ear, so nothing sits behind it. That leaves more room if you prefer thicker frames or have smaller ears. Smaller in-the-canal versions usually suit milder hearing loss, so ask your audiologist whether an ITE suits you.
What are spectacle hearing aids?
Spectacle hearing aids, also called hearing aid glasses, build a microphone and speaker into the arms of the glasses, so you wear one device instead of two. There are two main types:
- Bone-conduction spectacle hearing aids turn sound into gentle vibrations that travel through the bone behind the ear to the inner ear, bypassing the ear canal. They're generally used for conductive hearing loss or hearing loss in one ear.
- Air-conduction spectacle hearing aids have a small speaker in the arm that sends sound into the ear canal in the usual way.
Hearing aid glasses are far less common than standard hearing aids and don't suit every type of hearing loss. Because the frame and the hearing device are built together, changing your prescription or frame style can also mean changing the hearing device. For most people, wearing a separate hearing aid with spectacles is simpler and more flexible. Glasses Direct doesn't sell hearing aids, so ask an audiologist which option suits you.
How to put on hearing aids with glasses (step by step)
This routine works for BTE and RIC hearing aids. It can feel fiddly at first, but it takes less than a minute. Practise in front of a mirror for the first few days.
- Put your pair of glasses on first. Let the arms settle naturally over your ears.
- Place the hearing aid behind your ear. It should sit alongside the glasses arm, not balanced on top of it.
- Guide the ear tip or ear mould into your ear canal. Press gently until it feels secure.
- Check that the hearing aid sits close to your head. If it tips outwards, reposition it.
- Listen for whistling. A high-pitched whistle (called feedback) usually means the ear tip isn't fully in, or the glasses arm is pressing on the device.
- Take your glasses off by sliding them forward. Hold both arms and draw the frame toward you instead of lifting it up and over your ears. This keeps the hearing aid in place.
What are the best glasses to wear with hearing aids?
Look for lightweight frames with slim, straight arms. Here's what else to check:
- Thin metal or titanium arms take up less space behind the ear than thick acetate.
- Straight arms sit neatly next to a hearing aid. Cable arms, which curl tightly around the back of the ear, can crowd the device.
- Spring hinges flex slightly and ease pressure on the sides of your head.
- Soft temple tips and adjustable nose pads spread the weight and stop frames from slipping.
- Chunky arms are best avoided. Thick acetate arms compete most with a hearing aid for space.
Browse our titanium frames or own-brand metal styles from £9. Want to check the fit first? Our Free Home Trial lets you try up to four pairs at home before you decide.
Frames that pair well with hearing aids
Hearing aid clips for glasses
A hearing aid glasses clip attaches the device to your glasses arm with a thin cord. Keeping hearing aids on glasses this way means that if one slips off when you bend down or take your glasses off, the clip catches it before it hits the floor. Clips don't change how the hearing aid works, but they can give you peace of mind. Your audiologist or a specialist hearing retailer can recommend one that fits your model.
Common problems and how to fix them
- Pressure behind the ear: Switch to frames with slimmer arms, or ask an optician to adjust the arms so they sit higher or lower than the hearing aid.
- Whistling or feedback: Reseat the ear tip and check the glasses arm isn't pressing on the device.
- Hearing aid falling off when you remove your glasses: Slide your frames forward instead of lifting them, or add a hearing aid clip.
- Muffled sound: Ear wax on the ear tip or microphone can muffle sound and reduce volume. Clean the device as your audiologist recommends.
- It all feels strange at first: Give it a week or two. Most people adjust quickly.
Why treating hearing loss matters
Hearing loss is common, but many people put off doing anything about it. According to the British Academy of Audiology, an estimated 6.7 million UK adults could benefit from hearing aids, yet only around 2 million use them. RNID reports that untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, and that the right hearing aids can support communication and social connection.
If you've noticed changes in your hearing, book a hearing test with an audiologist. RNID also offers a free online hearing check that takes about 3 minutes. Once you know which hearing aid you need, matching it to the right frames is easy.
FAQs: hearing aids and glasses
Can you wear glasses and a hearing aid at the same time?
Yes. Most hearing aids sit comfortably alongside glasses. Slim frames make it easier, and so does putting your glasses on first.
Which hearing aids work best with glasses?
RIC and ITE hearing aids, because they take up little or no room behind the ear. Your audiologist will confirm which suits your hearing.
Do glasses affect hearing aid sound quality?
Not usually. If a glasses arm presses on the hearing aid it can cause whistling, but repositioning either one fixes it.
Can an optician adjust my glasses to fit around my hearing aid?
Usually, yes. An optician can often bend metal arms or change the angle of the temple tips so the frame sits clear of the device. Thin metal and titanium arms are generally the easiest to adjust.
Can I wear varifocals or sunglasses with hearing aids?
Yes. The same rules apply to any eyewear: look for slim, straight arms and a secure, comfortable fit.
Are spectacle hearing aids the same as wearing a hearing aid with glasses?
No. Spectacle hearing aids build the hearing technology into the frame. Most people wear a separate hearing aid alongside their glasses instead.
Should I put my glasses or hearing aids on first?
Put your glasses on first, then the hearing aid. Most people find that order easiest, especially first-time hearing aid users.
