When you imagine hearing aids, intimacy probably isn’t the first thing you think about. We understand. These tiny devices are normally advertised in rather concrete terms. Love, on the other hand, is something better suited for music, poetry, and art.
And yet, the two are inextricably linked to the point where you may want to begin thinking of your hearing aid as an intimacy device. After all, the social isolation that comes from untreated hearing loss can also mean separation from your partner. Which means it’s not just chatting with the cashier at the supermarket that becomes more challenging, it’s also maintaining your most significant and intimate relationships.
That’s not to say somebody with hearing loss isn’t capable of forming deep bonds or of experiencing beautiful, lasting relationships. It’s just that doing so takes special care and well-practiced adaptations. If you’ve been losing your hearing gradually and over time, you probably haven’t developed those additional skills, as a result, your relationships could suffer.
Conversely, something as obvious as a hearing aid can quickly and easily enhance these important relationships and make true intimacy easier. Hearing aids can have a positive affect on your love life in the following ways.
Improved communication
It’s no secret that healthy relationships need strong communication (though, it is often harder to practice than it is to preach). Taking the time to communicate can help avoid arguments, enhance emotional connections, and make everyone feel more valued and appreciated.
But the challenge becomes even more pronounced with hearing loss which can seriously interfere with normal communication.
A hearing aid will help most rapidly in the following ways:
- You’ll catch more of those quieter, whispered moments. Let’s be honest, it’s not pillow talk if you have to yell. You and your partner will enjoy those hushed quiet experiences with hearing aids.
- You’ll have more energy for communication.Hearing loss can leave you exhausted from struggling to communicate. Conversations can once again be enjoyable and stimulating.
You won’t need to use your partner as a translator
If your partner needs to repeat everything being said, it doesn’t make for a really romantic evening. But if you are unable to hear what’s going on all night, that won’t be very enjoyable either. It’s not difficult to imagine the type of resentment this could cause.
Your independence can be preserved by wearing hearing aids. Your partner won’t need to order your food at a restaurant or be your translator when you’re 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.
Your partner’s needs will be more accessible to you
There are a thousand ways that hearing more might help make your partner’s life a bit easier. Perhaps you jump up and help with dinner because your hearing aids let you hear the cook timer ring. 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 might not sound like much of a big deal. But these little gestures, taken together, will show your partner that you are compassionate and committed. They demonstrate your level of care. And that’s what partners are should do! A hearing aid makes that much easier to accomplish because you’ll recognize those sometimes discreet 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 might be hard to recognize that you’ve stopped hearing those breathy whispers shared during romantic moments. And let’s be honest, those quiet sounds are part of the fun of romance. You will once more 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 profound way.
Helping Your Relationship
Every problem in your relationship won’t be remedied with a hearing aid, clearly. And if you do suffer from hearing loss, you can still have romance. Hearing aids will make specific aspects of your love life more enjoyable and enriching and that’s the main point here.
So if your relationship is a little… dicey… and you’re scrambling to find a cause, it might be that your hearing loss is inhibiting your connections. A hearing aid can return needed intimacy to your relationship so schedule an appointment right away.