When you think about hearing aids, intimacy probably isn’t the first thing you think about. We get it. The advertising on these little devices is rather straightforward. Love, on the other hand, is something better suited for music, poetry, and art.
And yet, the two are closely linked to the point where you might want to start thinking of your hearing aid as an intimacy device. After all, when doctors, researchers, and hearing specialists discuss “social separation caused by hearing loss,” they’re also pointing to isolation from your partner. Which means it isn’t just chatting with the cashier at the grocery store that becomes more challenging, it’s also maintaining your most important and intimate relationships.
That doesn’t mean somebody suffering from hearing loss isn’t capable of forming deep bonds or of experiencing beautiful, lasting relationships. It’s just that doing so takes particular care and well-practiced adjustments. You most likely haven’t developed those skills if your hearing loss has advanced slowly and that could mean your relationships may suffer.
Conversely, something as simple as a hearing aid can quickly and easily enhance these significant relationships and make true intimacy more possible. 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 core of a healthy relationship. Taking the time to communicate can help eliminate arguments, improve emotional connections, and make everybody feel more respected and appreciated.
But the challenge becomes even more evident with hearing loss which can significantly hinder normal communication.
Here’s how a hearing aid will be most useful:
- The softer, whispered moments won’t get lost. Let’s be honest, it isn’t pillow talk if you have to shout. You and your partner will enjoy those hushed quiet moments with hearing aids.
- Your boosted stamina will make it simpler to communicate.Hearing loss can leave you exhausted from straining to communicate. With a hearing aid, chatting can be fun and energizing once more.
Your partner won’t have to be your translator
Going out with a group of friends won’t be all that enjoyable when your partner spends most of their time repeating everyone for your benefit. Likewise, you won’t have a very good time if you’re unable to hear anything that’s going on all night. It’s easy to understand how this arrangement could cause resentment.
Your independence can be preserved 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. You will be able to enrich your relationship by bringing home stories and adventures to share.
Your partner’s needs will be more accessible to you
There are a thousand ways that hearing more could help make your partner’s life a little easier. Perhaps you jump up and help with dinner because your hearing aids allow you to hear the cook timer sound. Or perhaps you hear your partner stumble on the floor and ask if they’re okay. You will have the opportunity to ask your partner what’s wrong if you hear them complain under their breath.
All of this might not sound like much of a big deal. But added together, these little gestures exhibit your commitment and compassion. They show you care. And that will make you a good partner. You will have a much 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 might have a tough time hearing those breathy whispers shared during romantic moments when you have hearing loss, especially if it has developed so gradually you didn’t even notice. And let’s be honest, those quiet sounds are part of the fun of romance. A hearing aid will allow you to enjoy the power of a whisper again. Which means you’ll be capable of enjoying the intimacy of your partnership in a more powerful way.
Helping Your Relationship
To be certain, a hearing aid won’t mend every issue with your relationship. And if you do suffer from hearing loss, you can still have intimacy. Hearing aids will make certain elements of your love life more pleasurable and enriching and that’s the main point here.
So if your relationship is a little… dicey… and you’re struggling to find a cause, it may be that your hearing loss is getting in the way of your connections. A hearing aid can bring back needed intimacy to your relationship so schedule an appointment as soon as possible.