Dating a man with hearing aids?

[Anonymous]

Question for the women here. I'm a single man in his early 50's (widowed 3 years) who wears hearing aids. Had them since my 30's. They are reasonably discreet and not like the giant putty colored ones you see on grandpa. But they're certainly not invisible either.

My question is, how big of a turn off will this be to women? Is it likely enough of a turn off that I should mention it up front before actually meeting someone in person so as not to waste anyone's time? I'm interested in women in my own age range, not some young hottie. Deal breaker for many?

Be straight. I don't need fairy dust blown my way. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

do you like the guy? Then who cares?

[Anonymous]

Oh my goodness. I'm 49, with good hearing and no other "disabilities." (Yet.) I don't think this would bother me at all. Best wishes OP.

[Anonymous]

Nope wouldn't be an issue...

People with contact lenses don't disclose it before they go on dates! It's very similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question for the women here. I'm a single man in his early 50's (widowed 3 years) who wears hearing aids. Had them since my 30's. They are reasonably discreet and not like the giant putty colored ones you see on grandpa. But they're certainly not invisible either.

My question is, how big of a turn off will this be to women? Is it likely enough of a turn off that I should mention it up front before actually meeting someone in person so as not to waste anyone's time? I'm interested in women in my own age range, not some young hottie. Deal breaker for many?

Be straight. I don't need fairy dust blown my way. Thanks.

Not an issue in the slightest. Anyone who would be bothered isn't someone you want anyway!

[Anonymous]

Total non issue for me, signed 33 year old woman

[Anonymous]

OP here. Possibly I'm overly self-conscious because I got them at an age (my 30's) when it was not exactly common among my peers and I always felt like I stood out because of it, though probably no one ever gave it that much thought.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Anonymous]

Lifelong wearer of hearing aids here: I always just made a point to find something to say about them -- a joke, a comment -- early on in a date, just so they weren't the elephant it the room. I never felt rejected by a woman b/c of the hearing aids.

[Anonymous]

This is from a single mom in her late thirties: not a turn off at all !

[Anonymous]

I'm mid-40s and the man I'm completely and utterly in love with is early-50s. This is NOT an issue whatsoever. It wasn't even an issue when I was just getting to know him. Don't even give it another thought. I guess I would say IF there is a woman who cares about something like that, she is shallow anyway. It's hard to believe anyone would care, but in case you run across one, good riddance to her.

[Anonymous]

54 year old woman here. It wouldn't be a turn off at all. What's bothersome is older men who refuse to wear hearing aids because they think they make them look old and then end up frustrating others and themselves because they have a hard time communicating. Good luck! You sound like a nice guy.

[Anonymous]

This wouldn't bother me one bit (34) I know a brother & sister with TERRIBLE hearing that refuse to get hearing aids. It drives me nuts! I know it's a vanity thing and I understand that but it has caused actual problems when people around them think they're being ignored or they miss cues because they just can't hear. The only way I can see this being an issue is if you suck in other ways.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't bother me at all. I wouldn't mention it before you met a woman. If she starts talking loudly once you meet, I would mention that you can hear fine with them (this happened to me on a date once with a guy with hearing aids, and I was so embarrassed - I had no idea I was raising my voice, but I guess I subconsciously was. Regardless, we went out for 5 months until he got transferred to another city for his job).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:54 year old woman here. It wouldn't be a turn off at all. What's bothersome is older men who refuse to wear hearing aids because they think they make them look old and then end up frustrating others and themselves because they have a hard time communicating. Good luck! You sound like a nice guy.

Thank you! OP, you sound great. Really, there's nothing more aging than a man who lets vanity prevent him from wearing a hearing aid, but then misses entire conversations, nuances, misunderstands and says, "what?" constantly. Btw, this is my FIL who thinks hearing aids are for the elderly. Meanwhile, I think he understands about 1/4 of what I say ( and I'm loud with a nicely modulated voice) and talking to him on the phone is maddening.

Honesty and openness is attractive. Just tell me right away if you need me to slow down, move closer, or speak up.

[Anonymous]

I can't even imagine why it would be an issue, even if you were much younger. I know guys who use hearing aids and no one thinks twice about it.

Even if it were the huge ones, I wouldn't have cared when I was dating.