Intimacy isn’t usually the first thing that one thinks of when you think about hearing aids. We understand. These tiny devices are normally advertised in rather concrete terms. Less defined expressions including poetry, music, and art are more suited to the topic of love.
And yet, the two are inextricably connected to the point where you might want to start viewing your hearing aid as an intimacy device. After all, the social isolation that comes from neglected hearing loss can also mean separation from your partner. That means it isn’t just talking with the cashier at the store that becomes more difficult, it’s also maintaining your most significant and intimate relationships.
Hearing loss doesn’t inevitably mean you can’t enjoy beautiful relationships and deep emotional connections. It’s just that doing so takes special care and well-practiced adaptations. You probably haven’t matured those skills if your hearing loss has advanced gradually and that could mean your relationships may suffer.
True intimacy, though, and improved personal relationships can come from something as basic as wearing a hearing aid. Here are some ways that hearing aids could have a positive affect on your love life.
Improved communication
Obviously, healthy relationships need good communication (although, it is often harder to practice than it is to preach). Taking the time to communicate can help eliminate arguments, enhance emotional connections, and make everybody feel more valued and appreciated.
But hearing loss can intensify normal communication roadblocks in the process making a difficult task much more difficult.
Here’s how a hearing aid will be most helpful:
- Your boosted stamina will make it simpler to communicate.Hearing loss can leave you fatigued from struggling to communicate. Conversations can once again be enjoyable and invigorating.
- You’ll catch more of those softer, whispered moments. Let’s be honest, it isn’t pillow talk if you have to yell. You and your partner will enjoy those hushed quiet moments with hearing aids.
Your partner won’t have to be your translator
If your partner has to repeat everything people are saying, it doesn’t make for a really romantic evening. 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 kind of resentment this could cause.
A hearing aid can help protect your independence. You won’t rely on your partner to order 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 stories and adventures that you can bring back to your partner, enriching your relationship in the process.
You’ll be more receptive to your partner’s needs
Your partner’s daily life will be so much easier in so many ways if you’re able to hear more. Maybe, thanks to your hearing aids, you notice the timer go off and jump in to help with dinner. Or perhaps you hear your partner scuffle on the floor and ask if they’re alright. You will have the chance to ask your partner what’s wrong if you hear them grumble under their breath.
All of this may 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. A hearing aid makes that much easier to accomplish because you’ll recognize those sometimes subtle audio cues.
You won’t miss the power of a whisper
You may have a difficult time hearing those breathy whispers shared during romantic moments when you have hearing loss, especially if it has progressed so gradually you didn’t even detect it. And let’s be honest, those quiet sounds are part of the fun of intimacy. A hearing aid will let you experience the power of a whisper again. This means that your experience of partnership will be that much more profound.
Helping Your Relationship
To be sure, a hearing aid isn’t going to fix every problem in your relationship. Nor is it impossible to experience intimacy with hearing loss. The point here is that a hearing aid will make specific aspects of your love life more pleasurable and more enriching.
So if your relationship is a little… dicey… and you’re trying 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.