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January 20, 2021
Von Taneasha White
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Taneasha White is a black queer writer and editor. She received an English degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and her work has been published by Rewire News, Next City, herself and others.
expert review of
Kristie Overstreet, Ph.D., LPCC, LMHC, CST
Clinical Sexologist and Psychotherapist
Kristie Overstreet, Ph.D., LPCC, LMHC, CST, is a clinical sexologist and psychotherapist with 12 years of clinical experience. She is a licensed counselor in California, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. She is also a board-certified sex therapist, board-certified addiction specialist, and president of The Therapy Division, an Orange County private practice that provides counseling services throughout the United States.
January 20, 2021 Even if you don't consider yourself a member of the fetish community, we all have things that turn us on more or less than anyone else. Have you ever realized what you were during an intimate session?To heardid you help get there? If so, you might be interested in what is known asauralism– and you are definitely not alone. We Asked Sex ExpertsAlexandra Stockwell, physician, EGoody Howard, LMSW, MPH, for details on the auralistic fetish and how to make all your senses sexy.
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What is auralism?
By definition, auralism means that you are aroused by sounds. However, what this looks like can vary from person to person. “People who are specifically aroused by sound engage in conscious sensuality without even realizing it. The sounds they find exciting are as diverse as humans themselves,” explains Howard.
It's not exactly clear when the term was coined, although warming up to your partner's pleasant noises is nothing new. Most importantly, interest in sensual audio experiences has increased in recent years, from pornographic audio to ASMR. Stockwell attributes the trend to the general movement towards a greater focus on the female sexual experience.what turns women on.
"Heterosexual men are known to respond very well to visual stimulation," notes Stockwell. "As more attention is paid to female sexuality, there is a growing appreciation of the importance of auditory stimulation in sexual arousal."
To research auralism:
1.
Incline-se.
"Most people enjoy auralism on some level, but to know if it's a real fetish for you, I suggest exploring it on purpose," says Howard. “Grab some good headphones and turn on the Google machine to find some listening sites that catch your eye. When engaging with a partner (or partners), pay attention to the sounds of your playtime and how it makes you feel.”
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2.
Tune in to sounds during partner sex.
"Moaning, sucking, wetness, skin-to-skin slapping" and other erotic noises are commonplace in typical one-on-one sex, notes Howard. Some movements or positions can create more acoustics - and maybe they're the ones that turn you on the most, even if you don't know why. Lean in and explore different avenues with those you are sexually involved with. Focus on all the different noises you and your body are making and notice which ones tend to make you feel even hotter.
3.
Be vocal!
there is no beingtoo high in bed: A 2019 SKYN survey found that 57% of people felt more confident when their partner made noise during sex. "Use your words and sounds to express your pleasure, and don't be afraid to make some noise," recommends Howard. (Here's ourdirty talk guidefor a little inspiration.)
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4.
the weather is better.
Many people love the sound that arousal naturally produces through a lubricated vagina. Enhance this experience by using itlubricantto make things even wetter.
5.
Distract your other senses.
If you inhibit one of the five senses, the others tend to come alive. So if you want to emphasize an auditory experience, try blocking your access to some of your other senses. Vision, in particular, tends to be very dominant in sexual experiences. "Wearing a blindfold with your partner improves your hearing and can connect you with your inner auralist," suggests Howard.
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6.
Watch out for roommates.
Your life circumstances may not allow you to speak as loudly as you'd like, but that doesn't mean you can't try! "If you have young children or roommates, you can also use headphones or play music to explore," says Howard.
7.
Try listening to erotic audio files.
Don't feel obligated to make the sounds yourself. Stockwell recommends trying one of the many apps designed for adult audio, such asDive, which contains sexually explicit audio stories that you can listen to as a podcast on your phone.erotic hypnosiscould be another interesting option.
"Another starting point is to determine if you respond comfortably to certain voices," adds Stockwell. You can try other audio apps that aren't necessarily designed for sensory purposes, such as Audible or Apple Podcasts, to test out different voices and audio types.
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8.
Try ASMR.
Sounds need not be sexual in nature. Sometimes music or an audio recording of traffic can provide a euphoric experience - everyone is different.
ASMR, which stands for Autonomic Sensory Meridian Response, is a term that describes the tingling sensation that some people experience in response to certain sounds (and sights). YouTube is full of ASMR videos showing everything from crumpled paper to soft whispers. ASMR can be self-care for some people and a source of sexual stimulation for others, so it might be worth exploring if you're curious about auralism.
"Sometimes the sounds bring back memories of a past lover or a sexual encounter," explains Howard. "It is the tone, tone and timbre of the sounds that awaken the passions."
9.
Exploring in non-sexual environments.
“As we live more sensually, we also experience sex with the five senses, which adds multiple levels of pleasure and can intensify orgasms. I suggest finding ways to make your everyday life more sensual and aware,” says Howard.
“Pay attention to the little things like the feel of your clothes against your skin, the sounds of your breathing during various activities, the taste of your food/drink, the texture and weight of the food on your tongue, etc. open doors to connect to auralism in ways that might not have been obvious before. For example, a shower in the dark, no music, no candles, just the sound of water and your breath is a great way to connect with your body and your senses."
10.
Celebrate what's good.
Whether it's an ASMR video of fruit being cut, the sound of waves crashing on the beach, or audio porn, if it makes you feel good, it should be celebrated! "A key to explore is noticing when shame arises and learning to embrace that part of yourself," says Stockwell. "I suggest exploring to get to know yourself better, with as little judgment as possible."
If calling it an auralistic fetish doesn't seem right, that's fine too. Do what works for you and don't be afraid to think outside the box!
Sometimes we feel limited by what we've been toldshould beexciting, but what is sexy often differs from person to person. So go ahead: download this app, plug in your headphones, pick up some obscene new lube - whatever feels good to you.
FAQs
Can you get turned on by music? ›
Listening to music prompts the release of dopamine. For many, that chemical response of pleasure acts to stimulate arousal and elevate a sexual interlude when music and sex are combined in a singular experience.
What are sensual sounds? ›An intoxicating blend of deep house, chilled beats and ambient R&B all designed to create the intersection of groove and sexuality. Pulsing sounds that seduce in a cool, sophisticated space.
What happens if you sleep with music on? ›Studies have shown that sleeping with your headphones in while listening to music is a health risk and could cause permanent damage. Hearing loss, skin necrosis and built up earwax are just a few of the side effects that could happen when you're plugged in.
Do I have Auralism? ›By definition, auralism means that you are aroused by sound. How this looks, though, can vary from person to person. "People that are specifically aroused by sounds are practicing mindful sensuality without even realizing it.
How do you moan in text? ›Ohhhhh, Ahhhhhhh, Ouch, Waaaaahh, Agggggh, etc. sound more, you might exaggerate further.
What happens if you listen to the same song over and over? ›When you listen to a song over and over again, it can help you do some reflective listening. Because music is so tied to our emotions, Dr. Honig says, the song you're listening to might be getting you through a rough time, or even helping you get more in touch with what you're feeling.
What happens if you listen to music all day? ›Frequent exposure to sound over 70 decibels (dB) can cause hearing problems and hearing loss over time. The louder the sound, the quicker it can cause damage.
What happens if you listen to music everyday? ›It provides a total brain workout. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.
What is it called when you get turned on by music? ›Auralism: What It Is & 10 Ways To Explore It | mindbodygreen.
Does music help with arousal? ›Music's Effects on Arousal Response
Current literature supports that music can be used to modulate arousal levels (Pujol & Langenfeld, 1999; Thakare et al., 2017). Pleasure responses created by music can re- duce stress and anxiety for individuals because it [music] can modulate dopamine out- put.
Does music increase arousal? ›
found that stimulative music increased heart rate, which is an indicator of increased arousal. This is evidence that music can be beneficial to a pre-performance routine as far as preparing the body for its upcoming sport.
What is it called when music arouses you? ›Frisson (UK: /ˈfriːsɒn/ FREE-son, US: /friːˈsoʊn/ free-SOHN French: [fʁisɔ̃]; French for "shiver"), also known as aesthetic chills or psychogenic shivers, is a psychophysiological response to rewarding stimuli (including music, films, stories, and rituals) that often induces a pleasurable or otherwise positively- ...
What type of music increases arousal? ›Participants who listened to fast/happy music showed higher levels of arousal, more positive mood, and a higher rate of enjoyment.
How can I lower my arousal level? ›- Here are two ways to reduce emotional arousal:
- Meditation. According to research, meditation may be one of the most effective means for decreasing anxiety, panic, and persistent anger. ...
- Progressive muscle relaxation.
Distract yourself
Even if it's a random erection, there is something aroused in your body. A distraction may help. Putting on a TV show, reading a book or engaging in anything that'll take your mind off it might help.
Broadly speaking, music, regardless of complexity or volume, can affect a person's ability to perform a complex task such as analysis or problem solving. Demanding tasks require more brainpower. Therefore, listening to music can overstimulate our mental resources and distract us when overwhelmed.
Can music affect you badly? ›Research suggests music can influence us a lot. It can impact illness, depression, spending, productivity and our perception of the world. Some research has suggested it can increase aggressive thoughts, or encourage crime.
Can music trigger hormones? ›Music stimulates oxytocin – a hormone related to positive, happy feelings. In a recent study, it was found that singing for half an hour significantly increased oxytocin levels, with amateur singers feeling more elated and energetic after the session.