If you’ve ever had glasses that slip down your nose, you know the struggle. The slipping, the sliding, the pushing your glasses back up every two minutes!
You might have heard that silicone glasses ear hooks can help with this. But do they really work?
In this article, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of silicone glasses ear hooks and how to decide if they’re right for you.
At a Glance
- Glasses ear hooks are used to stop loose glasses from slipping.
- These hooks are most often made of silicone, although some are made from other materials.
- Most designs have an opening on each end, which you’ll slip the glasses arms through. Then, you may need to adjust the hook a few times to find the right placement.
- There are also other ways to address loose or slipping glasses. This includes tightening screws, adjusting nose pads, and seeking a professional adjustment from an optician.
Eyeglass Fit Problems
First, I want to start with the problem silicone ear hooks are meant to address: fit. Some people are fortunate to have a pair of glasses that fit comfortably, but others struggle with a variety of issues, such as:
- Too-tight glasses that cause pain and discomfort.
- Too-loose glasses that keep slipping down the nose or even fall off.
- Glasses that fit okay for normal activities, but don’t work as well for active lifestyles, such as playing sports.
Glasses ear hooks won’t usually help with glasses that are too tight. Instead, they’re typically used to provide extra grip and stability for glasses that tend to slip or move around.
They can be particularly useful during physical activities when glasses are more likely to shift. However, they’re not always the best solution, and they probably shouldn’t be the first thing you try.
Instead, here is a troubleshooting flow chart to help with loose or slipping glasses:
Is the slipping/looseness new?
├── Yes → This often means that your glasses have loosened over time. In this case, I recommend tightening the screws. Or, if your glasses have nose pads, try adjusting them.
└── No→ This could mean your glasses aren’t the right size for your head. If adjusting the screws and nose pads doesn’t work, I suggest consulting an optician to determine the next steps.
│
▼
Did tightening the screws and adjusting the nose pads work?
├── Yes → Great!
└── No → Check with a local optician to see if a professional adjustment might help.
│
▼
Did a professional adjustment solve the problem?
├── Yes → Great!
└── No → Silicone glasses ear hooks might be worth a shot, especially if you aren’t in a position to buy a new pair of glasses.
How Do Silicone Glasses Ear Hooks Work?
Ear hooks are small pieces of flexible material. Most ear hooks are made of silicone due to its flexibility and comfort, although some are made from other materials.
As you might guess, an ear hook is shaped like, well, a hook. Most designs have openings at each end so you can slide the hook over the temple tip. You may need to adjust it a few times to find the ideal placement.
Where can you buy ear hooks for glasses?
Ear hooks for glasses are sold at a number of retailers, including big-box stores, discount stores, and eyewear stores. You can also order them on online marketplace websites such as Amazon.
Are Silicone Ear Hooks Comfortable?
For many people, yes. On Reddit, many users have shared how much glasses hooks have helped them. One Redditor called them a “life changer,” and they said they found them more comfortable than glasses straps.
However, some other Redditors tried ear hooks and found them uncomfortable. One user mentioned they had soreness when they first started using the ear hooks. But after some time, the Redditor gave an update and said they felt better.
As this Redditor experienced, sometimes you just need to get used to the ear hooks, and the discomfort fades after a little while.
If your new ear hooks are bothering you, here are a few tips:
- Adjust the hooks. Sometimes even a small adjustment can really help.
- Wait a couple of days to see if the discomfort goes away.
- If the ear hooks are still bothering you, consider trying a different style or shape.
- If that doesn’t help, ear hooks may not be the best solution for your slipping glasses.
What To Do When Ear Hooks Don’t Solve the Problem
Everyone has a slightly different shape and size to their head. If your noggin is a less common size/shape, it may be harder to fit for glasses.
In this case, I suggest trying on different frames in a store. Once you find a pair that fits perfectly, make a note of the size (usually written on one or both of the temple arms).
You also don’t have to buy the glasses in-store. Note the model number of the pair you like, then search for it online to compare prices. You can often find more affordable prices at online retailers, including EZContacts.
FAQs
I read that I can stop my glasses from slipping by heating them with a hair dryer and bending them inward. Is that true?
Theoretically, you can heat acetate frames by holding them under a hair dryer for 30 seconds. The warmth makes the plastic easy to bend. If the glasses are too loose, pushing them inward may help them hug your head better.
In practice, this can be difficult to do correctly. It’s hard to judge just how much to bend the glasses inward. It’s best to avoid this method and leave the adjustments to an optician.
My glasses usually fit fine, but they sometimes slip or start to fall off when I play sports like basketball. What should I do?
Even glasses that fit well can start to slip during vigorous exercise. Not only are you moving around at a fast pace, but you’re also sweating, which makes your face slippery. Ear hooks can help with this. But if the hooks don’t work for you, there are a couple of other options to consider:
- Buy a glasses strap. When used correctly, straps are usually very effective at keeping your glasses on your head during exercise.
- Consider talking to your eye doctor about contact lenses. You could wear them for specific activities, like sports, where glasses may not be a good fit.
