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 connected to the point where you may want to start viewing your hearing aid as an intimacy device. After all, when doctors, researchers, and hearing specialists talk about “social isolation caused by hearing loss,” they’re also referencing isolation from your partner. That means preserving intimate relationships will be just as challenging as attempting to communicate with the clerk at the supermarket.
That’s not to say somebody with hearing loss isn’t able to form deep bonds or of experiencing beautiful, enduring relationships. But it will be necessary to make some practiced adjustments and take some special care. You most likely haven’t developed those skills if your hearing loss has progressed slowly and that could mean your relationships might suffer.
Conversely, something as simple as a hearing aid can quickly and easily improve these significant relationships and make true intimacy more possible. Here are some ways that hearing aids might have a positive impact on your love life.
Improved communication
It’s no secret that healthy relationships call for strong communication (although, it is often harder to practice than it is to preach). Everyone will feel more appreciated and valued with strong communication permitting stronger emotional connections and decreasing arguments.
But the difficulty becomes even more evident with hearing loss which can severely hinder normal communication.
Here’s how a hearing aid will be most useful:
- You’ll catch more of those softer, whispered moments. Let’s be honest, it’s not pillow talk if you have to shout. A hearing aid will let you enjoy more of those quiet, hushed experiences between you and your partner.
- Your boosted energy levels will make it easier to communicate.When you have hearing loss, speaking and listening can take a lot of energy, leaving you feeling depleted. With a hearing aid, chatting can be fun and energizing again.
You won’t need to use your partner as a translator
Going out with friends won’t be all that enjoyable when your partner spends most of their time repeating everyone for your benefit. Similarly, you won’t have a very good time if you can’t hear anything that’s going on all night. It’s not hard to imagine the kind of resentment this could cause.
A hearing aid can help maintain your independence. Your partner won’t have to order your food at a restaurant or be your translator when you’re having dinner with friends. And going out alone to socialize will also be easier. This means you’ll have adventures and stories that you can bring back to your partner, enriching your relationship in the process.
Your partner’s needs will be more accessible to you
Your partner’s daily life will be a whole lot easier in so many ways if you’re able to hear clearly. Perhaps, thanks to your hearing aids, you notice the timer go off and jump in to help with dinner. Or maybe you ask your partner if they need help when you hear them stumble on the floor. You will have the opportunity 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 added up, these little gestures demonstrate your commitment and compassion. They show you care. And that will make you a good partner. You will have a much easier time achieving this with hearing aids which will help you detect more subtle audio cues.
You won’t miss the power of a whisper
When you suffer from hearing loss, particularly when you haven’t detected your symptoms, it may be hard to recognize that you’ve stopped hearing those breathy whispers shared during romantic moments. And part of the pleasure of being intimate, let’s be truthful, is those subtle, hushed occasions. You will once again be able to enjoy the power of a whisper. This means that your experience of partnership will be that much more powerful.
Helping Your Relationship
Every problem with your relationship won’t be solved with a hearing aid, clearly. Nor is it impossible to experience intimacy with hearing loss. Hearing aids will make specific elements of your love life more pleasurable and enriching and that’s the main point here.
So when hearing loss blocks your connections, your relationships can become dicey and it can be difficult to find the reason. A hearing aid can bring back needed romance to your relationship so make an appointment as soon as possible.