Do you wear glasses and also have headphones?
Wondering how to wear headphones with glasses? I personally struggled with this for some time after I started wearing glassed. Eventually found a solution and wish to share it here.
If you are a serious headphones user maybe your line of job (studio recording, professional gamer), hobby (also gamer) or you just love the unending tune of music, combining glasses with headphones might not be the most comfortable thing to do.
After a few minutes of having a headphone on with your glasses, the increasing discomfort of your glasses digging into the side of your head becomes a major distractions.
If you are like me, I have had to ditch my more sophisticated overhead headphones for in-ear headphones (or earphones) when the pain became unbearable.
Here is how to walk yourself to a solution.
Buy Headphones with Replaceable Ear Pads
Most headphones ear pads are made from some sort of faux leather. When touched these faux soft leather ear pads feel soft but not the most comfortable they start to press again your ear, eye glass frames and side of your head.
Whether soft or not, some headphones give you the option of replacing the ear pads that is supplied with these device. Headphones with removable earpads are becoming increasingly popular so you shouldn’t have a tough time getting one.
My job keeps me in front of a PC for several hours and headphones play a major part in keeping distractions at the minimum. So I went for the Superlux HD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones.
Aside having removable ear pads, price is decent for professional HD Headphones (less than $50). Professional grade headphones for less than a quarter of its price.
Superlux HD668B ear pads are actually quite soft which might meet some people’s requirement right out of the box. I used it with the default ear pads for a while before buying the replacement Velvet Replacement Ear Pads.
The replacement ear pads are extremely cheap for the comfort it delivers. Actually less than $10 bringing my total spend to just about $50 in all.
Over-Ear Headphones over On-Ear Headphones
You will not find headphones specially made for people who wear glasses. However, there are some basic things that make wearing headphones more comfortable for people who wear glasses.
One key factor for the headphones comfortability, especially for spectacle wearers, is the type of ear-cup.
In principle, two common types of over the head headphones exist: those that sit only on the ear (on-ear) and those that completely surround the ear (over-the-ear).
On-Ear Headphones usually exert a higher pressure on the ear. As a result, the ear is pressed against the temple, which can eventually leads to pain.
Eyeglass users are advised to go for headphones that completely Over-the-Ear headphones. These headphones do not press the ear directly against the rim of the glasses while in use.
In addition to the higher comfort, this form usually also offers better noise cancellation from outside.
Other Recommended Headphones Types for Eye Glass Users
Earloop
These are also known as earhooks. They are worn or clamped around the ear. The headset has no further support over the head or neck.
Mostly designed for mobile telephony and usually do not provide the necessary equipment for the gaming sector or any sophisticated sound production work. Usually inexpensive, the Bitzen Wireless Waterproof earhook costs less than $50.
Earloops are easy on the head and ear at the same time. Does not in any way interfere with your glasses.
Neckband
The neckband version supports the weight of the headphones with a crossbar at the back of the neck. This can be a good option for eyeglass users, since no lateral pressure is exerted on the side of the head.
In-ear Headphones.
In-ear headphones pose the least interference with glasses. The ear stud is by no way in conflict with the glasses or side of the head.
For maximum comfort ensure that a tailor-made shape of the ear plug is selected. If the plug does not fit the ear, it will very quickly lead to painful pressure in the ear. The features and quality of in-ear headsets are often not comparable to those of ordinary models.
In particular, good surround sound and a precise right-left positioning can be achieved only partially with the in-ear version. Hardcore gamers are therefore generally discouraged by the in-ear option.
For casual gamers who value lower-end features and surround sound, in-ear models can still be an alternative. Straight eyeglass users, who generally have problems with headphones of any kind, should take a look.
High-End Suggestions for Gamers who Wear Glasses
In summary, gaming headsets for eyeglasses users should completely surround the ear and usually have a headband. The usual purchase criteria for gaming headsets apply: A good sound, precise spatial positioning, a powerful microphone. In the following, some manufacturers and models are recommended in the high-end sector, i.e. in higher price segments.
Sennheiser
The German manufacturer Sennheiser is one of the best-known manufacturers in the speaker and headphone sector.
Headsets from Sennheiser, which is also interesting for the gamer wearing glasses, are also on offer by the company. In the high-end segment, the models “PC 363 D” and “PC 350 SE“ are mentioned.
They have large, well-padded ear pad and ear cups that completely encircle the ears. Especially the model “PC 363 D” offers through the velvet cover of the headphones even more wearing comfort.
Sound, voice reproduction and features are high on both headsets. Ambient noise is effectively suppressed, making the headsets particularly interesting.
Asus
Asus also offers special gaming headsets in the high-end segment with the “Republic of Gamers” product line. For eyeglass users especially the “Vulcan Pro” is recommended.
Again, the generally very high wearing comfort benefits spectacle wearers.
Logitech
The classic manufacturers of gaming peripherals also offer high-end headsets through the bank. Many of them are potentially good for wearers of glasses because of their size and shape.
Logitech offers with the “G 35” and the cordless “G 930” two headsets, which in addition to good sound characteristics and rich equipment also have a high wearing comfort.
Wrap up
All of these headsets meet the basic requirements to potentially address eyeglass users. In general, however, everyone has individual, different demands on a headset. Blank statements about the pressure, the tension and the fit of headphones cannot be made.
The overall wearing comfort of these headsets is high, but a final assessment depends on your individual requirements. The size and shape of your head and ears, as well as the width, length and thickness, as well as the general shape of your eyeglass temple can greatly affect the wearing experience of the headset.
It therefore makes sense to compare several headsets together in order to finally make the right choice. This also applies to basic decisions, such as whether an earloop or a neckband is used.
Only a large, ear-completely enclosing headphone is recommended in any case, unless you want to fall back on the in-ear variant.
The same applies to your needs in terms of sound. Some headsets are more bass heavy than others. Still others can reproduce the heights more differentiated.
The ultimate measure of the suitability of a headset, whether eyeglass wearers or not, is therefore in your own personal requirements.
