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 very concrete terms. Less defined expressions like poetry, music, and art are more suited to the subject of love.
And yet, the two are inextricably connected to the point where you may want to start thinking of 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. Which means it’s not just talking with the cashier at the store that becomes more challenging, it’s also maintaining your most significant and intimate relationships.
That’s not to say somebody suffering from hearing loss isn’t capable of forming deep bonds or of experiencing beautiful, lasting relationships. But it will be necessary to put in place some practiced adaptations and take some special care. You most likely haven’t developed those skills if your hearing loss has advanced gradually and that could mean your relationships might suffer.
Conversely, something as simple as a hearing aid can quickly and easily improve these priceless relationships and make true intimacy more possible. Hearing aids can have a positive influence on your love life in the following ways.
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 avoid arguments, increase emotional connections, and make everyone feel more respected and appreciated.
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 helpful:
- You’ll have more energy for communication.When you have hearing loss, talking and listening can consume a lot of energy, leaving you feeling exhausted. Conversations can once again be fun and invigorating.
- 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.
You won’t need to use your partner as a translator
Going out with a group of 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 fun either. It’s not difficult to imagine the kind of resentment this might cause.
Your independence can be preserved by wearing hearing aids. You won’t depend on your partner to order food for you at a restaurant or translate 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.
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, thanks to your hearing aids, you hear the timer go off and jump in to help with dinner. Or maybe you hear your partner scuffle on the floor and ask if they’re alright. When you hear your partner complaining under their breath, you have an opportunity to ask what’s the matter.
These may sound small and maybe even unimportant. But added together, these little gestures show your commitment and compassion. They demonstrate your level of care. And that’s what partners are supposed to do! You will have a much easier time achieving this with hearing aids which will help you pick up on 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 let’s be truthful, those quiet sounds are part of the fun of intimacy. A hearing aid will allow you to 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 won’t fix every issue with your relationship. Nor is it impossible to experience romance with hearing loss. 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 get dicey and it can be difficult to find the reason. A hearing aid can bring back needed intimacy to your relationship so schedule an appointment as soon as possible.