I don’t like hearing aids, but, reality is reality and I finally got some CICs that work well for me ... though sometimes I forget to take them with me.
After decades of learning how to function without truly hearing a conversation, I often don’t maintain good eye contact.
After all, how can I hear what you’re saying if I can’t see you say it, right?
I don’t read lips, but do get enough additional details to figure out the conversation in near real time.
I hadn’t realized how much I relied upon this subconscious technique until the mask mandate took it away.
And, yes, the virus is real, but I’m not sold on the science of masks.
There’s too much political manipulation of the science now for us to be able to see beyond emotion.
If there is a benefit, great! Hopefully something good will come from this.
Otherwise, the mask mandate seems like yet another freedom sacrifice I must place on the alter of other people’s fears, than a benefit to me or to society.
Emotions nag and scream: “We gotta do something!”
Your story sounds nearly identical to mine. I've lost a hearing aid several times, but luckily found it each time undamaged. Glasses make it much worse.
That said, I've found what is a big help. Our company gives out masks that have two sets of tie strings, upper and lower. I tie the top set with a bow, and leave it above the ears. I often leave the bottom ones just dangling on my back, or some times tie them with a single wrap around. None of the strings even touch the ears. It takes a bit longer to put them on compared with the ones with rubber bands around the ears, but a whole lot less time to take them off. The around the ear ear ones almost always get tangled in my hearing aids and glasses.