Paul Brunson has teamed up with Specsavers for its latest hearing campaign,

Relationship guru Paul Brunson and Specsavers reveal the unconventional intimacy device redefining connection this Valentine’s Day

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Celebrity relationship expert – and co-host of Married at First Sight – Paul Brunson has teamed up with Specsavers for its latest hearing campaign, unveiling an unconventional ‘intimacy device’ for couples ahead of Valentine’s Day on 14 February.

Earlier this week, Brunson ignited widespread speculation when he took to social media, teasing a mystery, ‘game-changing’ device to bring partners closer than ever. The ‘relationship aid’ has now been revealed as Specsavers state-of-the-art Advance 65 hearing devices.

This small but powerful feat of AI-powered technology leverages rapid processing speeds and state of the art innovation to bring couples together; enhancing their connection and senses. Designed to help couples truly hear one another, reconnect emotionally and rediscover closeness, Paul has endorsed the hearing device for its potential to remedy some of our most fundamental relationship issues this Valentine’s Day.

This coincides with new research that reveals over two thirds (67%) of British couples believe actually “feeling listened to and truly heard” by their partner is the most important way to stay connected – with just one in 10 (12%) believing the easiest way to stay close to their parter is by buying gifts. According to the survey of 2,000 British couples, people are spending an average of £766 a year (£11.3 billion collectively annually^[i]) on getaways (37%), fancy meals (35%) and flowers (21%) in an effort to rekindle the spark. Yet simply addressing their hearing can really make the biggest difference to couples and help them reconnect with each other.

NHS England data shows that up to 18 million Brits struggle to hear properly, and many wait as long as 10 years to seek support^[ii]. The new research reveals that one in five (21%) of British couples feel increasingly disconnected the longer they’ve been together. Symptoms often emerge in mid to late 40s and relationship challenges can be compounded by delays in treatment. Shockingly, an estimated 45% of people with hearing loss are not actively receiving care from hearing experts in the UK^[iii].

Modern and discreet, Advance 65 hearing aids, with sophisticated AI technology, may be a particular welcomed companion for couples. They have the ability to: filter background noise, prioritise speech and enhance sound clarity to ensure you can properly hear your partner, whatever the scenario. This may come as music to the ears of many long-suffering partners frequently “in the doghouse” for missing that vital piece of information or accused of selective hearing.

Paul C Brunson says: “If you can’t hear your partner clearly, you can’t truly connect with them. Intimacy and connection aren’t built on grand gestures and lavish gifts – they’re built on being heard in the everyday moments. When those exchanges are missed or misunderstood, emotional and physical closeness fades. Communication is at the heart of every type of connection in a relationship; naturally this begins with being able to truly hear your partner. So, getting a hearing check this Valentine’s could be one of the most romantic gestures you could do.”

Nearly half (48%) of the couples 18+ said either they or their partner struggle with their hearing, yet fewer than one in five (17%) currently wears a hearing device.

One in four (29%) people admit regularly having to repeat themselves as a cause of tension in their relationship, while others say they’re often left feeling ignored, misunderstood or accused of “not listening”.

Over half (58%) said they feel disconnected from their partner when they don’t fully understand what the other is trying to say, fueling feelings of frustration (58%), emotional distance (33%), isolation (30%) and resentment (28%).

Significantly, the research shows that among couples where one partner wears a hearing device, a third (32%) report feeling improved physical connection and intimacy.

Specsavers hearing expert, Sonam Sehemby, says: “Many people don’t realise their hearing has changed until their partner points it out. By then, it may have already affected confidence and day-to-day connection. A hearing check can identify these changes early, helping you stay engaged with what – and who – matters most.”

Audiology Brand & Customer Lead, Robert Fox, says “Sadly for many there is a still a stigma connected to hearing aids, but these devices are some of the worlds most advanced pieces of technology that really can have a fundamental impact on peoples’ relationships and wellbeing. The more we do to help people feel comfortable to talk about it, more the lives we can change for the better.”

More information about the campaign, visit: specsavers.co.uk/hearing/relationships. 

1 Extrapolated from our survey of 2,000 couples aged 18+, with an average annual spend of £766. Applying this to the estimated 14.8 million couples in England and Wales (derived from the adult population as reported by ONS in 2024 and a 60.5% coupling rate) gives a total annual spend of approximately £11.3 billion.

2 Source: Study by Akeroyd MA and Munro KJ (2024) Population estimates of the number of adults in the United Kingdom with a hearing loss updated using 2021 and 2022 census data. bioRxiv. DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.24301819

[iii] Source: Specsavers Hearing Health Report, 2024.