Yahoo Lifestyle 
The sound-based fetish you haven’t heard of yet
Just another way to get you off.
As a sex writer, I pride myself on having heard and seen it all. So when I came across a fetish that hadn’t crossed my inbox before, I was gobsmacked.
“Auralism means, essentially, that you’re aroused by sound,” Melbourne sexologist Coby Baker told Yahoo Lifestyle. “That can be any sound, like moaning or music or even someone’s voice.
“But to differentiate it from just being a bit of a kink, auralism means you can’t orgasm without this specific sound that you love so much.”
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A major erogenous zone
It turns out that the ear is a major erogenous zone, and as someone who needs multiple stimulation all at once — and isn’t worried about what the neighbours will think — I truly get it.
“Life is really busy and you can try to get turned on by watching something, but if your mind is wandering it's going to be really hard for you to be able to get in the mood,” Baker explained.
“But with audio porn, or auralism in general, if you pop on some headphones and purposely carve out that time to sit and listen, that's just really going to turn you on even more.”
So, how do you get into it?
Audio porn
If auralism is something you think might tickle your pickle, the sexologist recommended starting with audio erotica, which can range from sensuous noises and sexy tales to straight-up sex scenes.
“Get yourself some nice headphones or a quiet room and start with what you think might turn you on,” Baker suggested.
“There's also guided masturbation meditation. But if talking isn't your thing, pick a song and really immerse yourself in it. Like, try to block everything else out, and just focus on that sound.”
As for audio porn though, Baker said it’s “absolutely taken off”, with audio porn companies “popping up left, right and centre”.
“I think before this, I’m sure there were lots of people who were turned on by sound, but it wasn’t so popularised. Now it’s so accessible, people are like, ‘Wow, I really love this’.
“You can listen to it wherever you like and it’s almost like this naughty little secret that you can have with yourself.”
ASMR
Then there is ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, which refers to the sensation some people get when they watch or hear something.
“ASMR just tickles that part of your brain, like it actually changes something in your brain,” Baker said.
“So there's classic ASMR, which can turn people on, but then there's also this erotic ASMR, where people really like wet noises or they'll do little moves into the microphone, incorporating erotic moments. It just changes their brain and feels good.
This brings me back to my point that plenty of people, especially women, need more than just penetration to reach orgasm. And the world may be catching up, because experts believe the popularity of sensual audio experiences shows that society is placing greater focus on female pleasure and what turns women on.
Sex noises
As far as I’m concerned, the louder you are in the bedroom, the more fun you’re having, as you give in to the pleasure and let yourself go.
“That's what I think making noise during sex is about, like it’s about releasing yourself,” the sexologist said, but she acknowledged that not everyone feels that comfortable.
“I guess we're kind of told that only porn stars do that [make noise] and yeah, they might, but porn stars are actually having sex so that's the noise that they make. That’s just a normal noise during sex. Like, sure it can be exaggerated, but it’s exaggerated because people find it hot.”
Then there’s also the fact that noise during lovemaking is a great communication tool.
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“It’s a way to show the person you are having sex with that you're really into it,” said Baker. “Like if you're having sex with someone and it’s dead silent, I’d be a bit worried.
“It’s also just feeling authentic. Like if it feels good, let it out. If you’re already having sex, you’re already having this really vulnerable moment, so just be yourself. And if you’re going to moan, moan on!”
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