When you think about hearing aids, intimacy most likely isn’t the first thing you think about. We understand. These tiny devices are normally presented in rather concrete terms. Love, on the other hand, is something better suited for music, poetry, and art.
And yet, the two are inextricably connected to the point where you might want to begin 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. That means preserving intimate relationships will be just as difficult as attempting to talk with the clerk at the grocery store.
That doesn’t mean somebody suffering from hearing loss isn’t capable of forming deep bonds or of experiencing wonderful, enduring relationships. It’s just that doing so takes specialized care and well-practiced adjustments. You most likely haven’t matured those skills if your hearing loss has advanced slowly 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. Hearing aids can have a positive impact on your love life in the following ways.
Improved communication
Obviously, healthy relationships call for strong communication (although, it is often harder to practice than it is to preach). Everybody will feel more appreciated and valued with strong communication allowing stronger emotional connections and reducing arguments.
But hearing loss can compound normal communication obstacles 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 easier to communicate.When you have hearing loss, talking and listening can take a lot of energy, leaving you feeling depleted. With a hearing aid, conversing can be fun and energizing once again.
- The softer, whispered moments won’t get lost. Let’s be honest, it’s not pillow talk if you have to shout. You and your partner will enjoy those hushed quiet moments with hearing aids.
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. But if you are unable to hear what’s happening all night, that won’t be very fun either. It’s not difficult to imagine the kind of resentment this could 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 repeat what everyone is saying at a dinner party. Additionally, it will be easier to continue socializing on your own! You will be able to enrich your relationship by bringing back stories and adventures to share.
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 clearly. Perhaps, thanks to your hearing aids, you hear the timer go off and come in to help with dinner. Or maybe you hear your partner scuffle 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 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 quality partner. A hearing aid makes that much easier to accomplish because you’ll pick up on those sometimes subtle audio cues.
You won’t miss the power of a whisper
When you suffer from hearing loss, especially when you haven’t detected your symptoms, it might be tough to recognize that you’ve stopped hearing those breathy whispers shared during intimate occasions. And part of the pleasure of being intimate, let’s be honest, is those subtle, quiet moments. You will once again be able to enjoy the power of a whisper. Which means you’ll be capable of enjoying 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. The point here is that a hearing aid will make specific elements of your love life more enjoyable and more enriching.
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. Schedule an appointment with us, a hearing aid could return welcome intimacy to your love life.