Intimacy isn’t normally the first thing that comes to mind when you think about hearing aids. We get it. These little devices are usually presented in rather concrete terms. Less defined expressions such as poetry, music, and art are more suited to the topic of love.
And yet, the two are closely linked to the point where you might want to begin viewing your hearing aid as an intimacy device. After all, when doctors, researchers, and hearing specialists talk about “social separation caused by hearing loss,” they’re also pointing to isolation from your partner. That means preserving intimate relationships will be just as difficult as attempting to communicate with the clerk at the supermarket.
That doesn’t mean someone suffering from hearing loss isn’t capable of forming deep bonds or of experiencing wonderful, enduring relationships. It’s just that doing so takes specialized care and well-practiced adaptations. You most likely haven’t developed those skills if your hearing loss has advanced slowly and that could mean your relationships may suffer.
True intimacy, though, and improved personal relationships can come from something as simple as using a hearing aid. Hearing aids can have a positive influence on your love life in the following ways.
Improved communication
Obviously, healthy relationships require strong communication (although, it is sometimes harder to practice than it is to preach). Everybody will feel more appreciated and valued with good communication allowing stronger emotional connections and decreasing arguments.
But the challenge becomes even more evident with hearing loss which can seriously impede normal communication.
A hearing aid will help most quickly in the following ways:
- You’ll catch more of those quieter, whispered moments. To put it bluntly, there’s no shouting in pillow talk. A hearing aid will foster more of those quiet, hushed experiences between you and your partner.
- Your boosted energy levels will make it easier to communicate.When you experience hearing loss, talking and listening can consume a lot of energy, leaving you feeling exhausted. With a hearing aid, conversing can be fun and energizing once more.
Your partner won’t have to be your translator
Going out with friends won’t be all that much fun when your partner spends most of their time repeating everyone for your benefit. But if you can’t hear what’s happening all night, that won’t be very enjoyable either. It’s not difficult to imagine the type of resentment this might cause.
Your independence can be maintained by using hearing aids. You won’t depend on your partner to order food for you at a restaurant or repeat what everyone is saying at a dinner party. And going out solo to socialize will also be easier. This means you’ll have adventures and stories that you can bring home to your partner, enriching your relationship in the process.
Your partner’s needs will be more accessible to you
There are many 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 let you hear the cook timer sound. Or perhaps you ask your partner if they need help when you hear them stumble on the floor. You will have the chance to ask your partner what’s wrong if you hear them grumble under their breath.
All of this might not sound like much of a big deal. But these little gestures, taken together, will demonstrate to your partner that you’re compassionate and committed. They show you care. And that will make you a good partner. You will have a substantially easier time accomplishing this with hearing aids which will help you detect more discreet audio cues.
You won’t miss the power of a whisper
You may have a tough time hearing those breathy whispers shared during intimate moments when you have hearing loss, particularly if it has developed so slowly you didn’t even notice. And let’s be honest, those quiet sounds are part of the fun of romance. You will once again be able to enjoy the power of a whisper. Which means you’ll be able to enjoy the intimacy of your partnership in a more powerful way.
Helping Your Relationship
To be sure, a hearing aid won’t mend every issue in your relationship. And if you do have hearing loss, you can still have romance. The point here is that a hearing aid will make specific facets of your love life more enjoyable and more enriching.
So when hearing loss gets in the way of your connections, your relationships can become dicey and it can be tricky finding the reason. A hearing aid can bring back needed romance to your relationship so schedule an appointment as soon as possible.