In the realm of gaming, the pursuit of a perfect setup is synonymous with the quest for an immersive experience. Our previous article specifically emphasises the significance of clear audio: the ability to hear dialogue and nuanced game effects with precision is crucial for gamers seeking total immersion. As a cornerstone of this auditory journey, a high-quality speaker often takes centre stage in constructing the ideal gaming setup.
Speaker setups can accommodate glasses wearers who may be apprehensive about embracing headphones due to the potential headaches or sore ear cartilage they can cause. However, simple adjustments can transform the relationship between headphones and comfort, ensuring that glasses-wearing gamers can more easily immerse themselves in gaming audio. In the subsequent sections, we will explore five practical tips for a more seamless transition.
Choose the right ear padding
Thicker cushions evenly distribute pressure around the ears. This can prevent glasses frames from digging into the skin, alleviating potential soreness and headaches. The material of the ear pads plays a crucial role as well. It may be best to avoid pleather and leather cushions, which often boast a firmer composition compared to the softer feel of foam and velour. If you have a favourite headset, then you can consider swapping out the earpads. You can look at those from brands like Dekoni, which specialises in crafting velour-lined replacement pads for multiple Audio Technica and Sony headphones. Meanwhile, Bose enthusiasts can opt for the WC Upgraded Replacement Ear Pads. By selecting the right combination of thickness and material, glasses-wearing gamers can tailor their headphone experience to their preferences for better comfort.
Use dedicated gaming glasses
Regular glasses aren’t designed for gaming, which is why your current pair may be clashing with your headphones. For this reason, eyewear brands including Oakley specifically offer glasses with gaming-friendly features. That includes blue light-blocking Prizm Gaming™ 2.0 Lens Technology and lightweight O-Matter™ frames for comfort. More importantly, models like the NXTLVL and Wheel House boast headset-compatible frames. Their thinness prevents unnecessary pressure on the temples, and they work with other features like flexible hinges, adjustable nose pads, and the secure grip of Oakley’s trademark Unobtainium earsocks to ensure the frames sit comfortably beneath the headset ear cups. By carefully choosing your glasses’ design elements to include features like these, you can ensure your eyewear and headset complement each other seamlessly.
Stretch your headphones
Some headphones come with adjustable features, like the WH-CH520 on-ear wireless headphones from Sony Electronics. These come with an adjustable headband, soft earpads, and a lightweight design for a customised and comfortable fit. For headphones without such features, manual adjustment can help reduce clamping pressure. You can start by creating a makeshift stretcher using books arranged side by side, approximately the width of your head, that you can place your headphones over when they’re not in use. From here, you can gradually increase the stack to achieve a more comfortable fit.
Trim the ear pads
If discomfort persists, consider a custom approach to reduce pressure on your glasses frames. Whitson Gordon, senior marketing manager of gaming content at ASUS, trimmed his headphone ear pads by cutting holes where his glasses’ frames sit. To follow this popular hack, you can use a knife to carefully make small, shallow slits in the ear paddings until they fit comfortably around your eyeglass frames.
Switch to earbuds
At the end of the day, earbuds can be a viable alternative for those with particularly sensitive skin or temples. Today, there are different gaming earbuds on the market, with the Logitech G Fits’s low-latency wireless connection standing up to par with the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid buds and HyperX Cloud MIX buds. With a lower profile and the ability to fit inside the ear canal, such earbuds can eliminate the pressure headphones usually place on a pair of glasses’ arms and temples, providing a comfortable and private gaming audio experience.
By following these tips, glasses-wearing gamers can overcome the discomfort associated with using headphones. Whether through adjusting padding or choosing compatible frames, finding the right solution can enhance the immersive audio experiences gaming has to offer.
