When you think about hearing aids, intimacy most likely isn’t the first thing you think about. We understand. The advertising on these little devices is rather straightforward. Love, conversely, is something better suited for music, poetry, and art.
And yet, the two are inextricably linked to the point where you might want to start viewing your hearing aid as an intimacy device. After all, when doctors, researchers, and hearing specialists discuss “social isolation caused by hearing loss,” they’re also pointing to isolation from your partner. That means maintaining intimate relationships will be just as difficult 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 wonderful, lasting relationships. But it will be necessary to make some practiced adaptations and take some special care. If you’ve been losing your hearing gradually and over time, you likely haven’t matured those extra skills, subsequently, your relationships could suffer.
By the same token, something as obvious as a hearing aid can quickly and easily enhance these priceless relationships and make true intimacy more possible. Here are some ways that hearing aids might have a positive influence on your love life.
Improved communication
It’s well known that good communication skills are at the core of a healthy relationship. Taking the time to communicate can help prevent arguments, improve emotional connections, and make everybody feel more valued and appreciated.
But the difficulty becomes even more pronounced with hearing loss which can severely impede normal communication.
Here’s how a hearing aid will be most helpful:
- Your boosted energy levels will make it simpler to communicate.When you experience hearing loss, speaking and listening can take a lot of energy, leaving you feeling depleted. Conversations can once again be enjoyable and stimulating.
- The softer, whispered moments won’t get lost. Let’s be honest, it isn’t pillow talk if you have to shout. You and your partner will enjoy those hushed quiet moments with hearing aids.
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. Likewise, you won’t have much fun if you can’t hear anything that’s happening all night. It’s not difficult to imagine the kind of resentment this might cause.
A hearing aid can help preserve your independence. You won’t rely on your partner to order for you at a restaurant or translate what everyone is saying at a dinner party. And going out alone 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
Your partner’s daily life will be so much easier in so many ways if you’re able to hear more. Perhaps, thanks to your hearing aids, you notice the timer go off and come in to help with dinner. Or perhaps you hear your partner scuffle on the floor and ask if they’re okay. When you hear your partner complaining under their breath, you have a chance to ask what’s bothering them.
All of this may not sound like much of a big deal. But these little gestures, taken together, will show your partner that you’re compassionate and committed. They demonstrate your level of care. And that will make you a quality partner. You will have a substantially easier time accomplishing 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 difficult to recognize that you’ve stopped hearing those breathy whispers shared during romantic occasions. And let’s be truthful, those quiet sounds are part of the fun of romance. A hearing aid will let you enjoy the power of a whisper again. This means that your experience of partnership will be that much more powerful.
Helping Your Relationship
To be certain, a hearing aid won’t fix every problem with your relationship. And if you do have hearing loss, you can still have intimacy. The point here is that a hearing aid will make certain aspects 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 may be that your hearing loss is inhibiting your connections. A hearing aid can return needed romance to your relationship so make an appointment right away.