Intimacy isn’t normally the first thing that one thinks of when you think about hearing aids. We understand. These little devices are usually advertised in rather concrete terms. Love, conversely, is something better suited for poetry, music, and art.
And yet, the two are closely linked to the point where you might want to begin thinking of your hearing aid as an intimacy device. After all, when doctors, researchers, and hearing specialists talk about “social separation due to hearing loss,” they’re also pointing to isolation from your partner. That means maintaining intimate relationships will be just as difficult as attempting to talk with the clerk at the store.
That’s not to say someone suffering from hearing loss isn’t capable of forming deep bonds or of experiencing wonderful, lasting relationships. But it will be necessary to put in place some practiced adaptations and take some special care. If you’ve been losing your hearing gradually and over time, you likely haven’t matured those extra skills, as a result, your relationships could suffer.
Conversely, something as simple as a hearing aid can quickly and easily improve these important relationships and make true intimacy easier. Here are some ways that hearing aids might have a positive influence on your love life.
Improved communication
It’s well recognized that good communication skills are at the root of a healthy relationship. Taking the time to communicate can help eliminate arguments, enhance emotional connections, and make everyone feel more valued and appreciated.
But the difficulty becomes even more pronounced with hearing loss which can significantly impede normal communication.
Here’s how a hearing aid will be most beneficial:
- You’ll catch more of those softer, whispered moments. Let’s be truthful, it isn’t pillow talk if you have to shout. A hearing aid will foster more of those quiet, hushed experiences between you and your partner.
- You’ll have more energy for communication.When you experience hearing loss, talking and listening can consume a lot of energy, leaving you feeling exhausted. Conversations can once again be enjoyable and invigorating.
Your partner won’t have to be your translator
If your partner needs to repeat everything people are saying, it doesn’t make for a really romantic evening. Similarly, you won’t have much fun if you’re unable to hear anything that’s happening all night. It’s not difficult to imagine the type of resentment this might cause.
A hearing aid can help preserve your independence. You won’t depend on your partner to order food for you at a restaurant or translate what everyone is saying at a dinner party. And going out alone to socialize will also be easier. You will be able to enrich your relationship by bringing home stories and adventures to share.
You’ll be more receptive to your partner’s needs
There are a lot of ways that hearing more might help make your partner’s life a bit easier. Perhaps you jump in and help with dinner because your hearing aids allow you to hear the cook timer ring. Or perhaps you hear your partner scuffle on the floor and ask if they’re alright. When you hear your partner grumbling under their breath, you have a chance to ask what’s the matter.
These might sound small and maybe even unimportant. But added up, these little gestures show your commitment and compassion. They demonstrate your level of care. And that will make you a quality partner. You will have a much easier time achieving this with hearing aids which will help you pick up on more subtle audio cues.
You won’t miss the power of a whisper
You may have a difficult time hearing those breathy whispers shared during intimate moments when you have hearing loss, particularly if it has progressed so gradually you didn’t even detect it. And part of the fun of being intimate, let’s be honest, is those subtle, quiet moments. You will once more be able to experience the power of a whisper. Which means you’ll be capable of enjoying the closeness of your partnership in a more powerful way.
Helping Your Relationship
Every issue with your relationship won’t be solved using a hearing aid, clearly. And if you do have hearing loss, you can still have romance. The point here is that a hearing aid will make specific aspects of your love life more pleasurable and more enriching.
So when hearing loss blocks your connections, your relationships can get dicey and it can be tricky finding a cause. A hearing aid can return needed romance to your relationship so schedule an appointment as soon as possible.