Sounds have the power to inspire all sorts of sexual pleasure — especially if you know your triggers. Maybe you enjoy moans over words or the sound of skin-and-hand contact over lightly ruffled clothing.

Whatever it is, if you know how to encourage your sound-based arousal — or auralism — you’ll never chase inspiration again.

What’s auralism?

The word “auralism” comes from the Latin "auris," or ear, paired with -ism, the suffix describing an “abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing.” In other words, auralism is an abnormal state or condition (i.e., arousal) resulting from excess sound stimulation.

Don’t let the word “abnormal” throw you off. You wouldn’t get much done if you walked around in a constant state of arousal. If non-aroused is your baseline state, aroused is technically abnormal — but that certainly doesn’t mean arousal is dirty or wrong.

To understand why auralism goes beyond fetishism, let’s break down the difference between fetishes and kinks. A fetish is something real or imagined that your sexual gratification depends on. Having a sound fetish means you find it difficult or impossible to achieve arousal or orgasm without a specific sound. 

A kink, on the other hand, is nothing more than an unconventional sexual taste or behavior. Having an auralism kink really just means you feel aroused by sexual sounds or the sounds of pleasure. And while it may technically be unconventional, auralism isn’t at all uncommon. Feeling stimulated by certain sounds is part of human nature, and for most people, it’s a healthy way to explore your sexuality.

5 ways to explore auralism 

Here are five approaches that can encourage sound-based arousal in your sex life.

1. Explore audio erotica

Traditional pornography focuses on moving or still images of people engaged in sexual activities. But while sound is a common component of traditional pornographic videos, the focus is generally on the physical actions unfolding on screen.

Audio erotica is similarly sexually explicit, but it removes the visual component, placing 100% of the emphasis on sound. 

Spicy audio stories, guided masturbation, and dirty talk are all examples of audio erotica. And the best examples are more than just sound effects — they offer fun, intriguing drama and riveting plot points. To experience this firsthand, try Quinn.

2. Pay attention during intimacy

Next time you’re intimate with a partner (or partners), be mindful of the sounds you hear. Everything from a desperate sigh in your ear to the snap of elastic on skin can be arousing if you connect the sound to the physical sensations you’re experiencing.

When you’re mindful of the sounds associated with sex, these sounds can work as standalone cues. You can then access these cues to stimulate yourself, even when you have no partner present.

3. Be more vocal during intimacy

During sex, communication — verbal and nonverbal — is the key to both consent and enjoyment.

Physical actions like wrapping your arms around your partner’s back or using your legs to pull them closer are incredibly effective ways to communicate your engagement. But the sounds you make also say a lot — sometimes more than words.

The next time you engage in physical intimacy, challenge yourself to be more vocal. Don’t stifle your moans, and if something your partner does feels especially right, tell them. Audible cues are often the best way to communicate that you do or don’t like what’s happening during sex, especially when the lights are out. Don’t be afraid to express yourself. You’ll likely find that your partner responds very well to female sexual sounds, and you’ll probably enjoy them just as much.

4. Try ASMR

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. It’s a form of euphoria that generally results in a tingling sensation from the scalp to the upper spine. For many, certain auditory stimuli trigger ASMR — so much so that content creators have uploaded tens of millions of ASMR-specific videos to content-sharing apps like YouTube and Twitch.

The euphoric feeling inspired by ASMR isn’t specifically sexual. But it can be, and there’s even a subset of ASMR videos known as ASMRotica: ASMR with sexual sounds.

ASMR triggers vary widely, so experiment to find the noises that make you tingle. Your trigger could be anything from a soft whisper to acrylic nails tapping against plastic.

5. Block out other senses

When you reduce or eliminate one of your five senses’ access to stimuli, you’ll generally find that the power of your other senses increases to make up for it. Enhance your hearing during intimate moments with yourself or your partners by blocking off one or more of your other four senses.

That might mean wearing a blindfold or completely darkening the room to eliminate visual stimuli and skipping any candles, incense, or essential oils to avoid triggering your sense of smell. If you often indulge in flavored lubricants or edible sex jellies, try keeping them away while exploring auralism. And consider binding your hands to whatever degree feels safe to prevent you from touching your partner.

Find what works for you

People of all genders and sexualities take great pleasure in practicing auralism. But while many men seek out visual stimulation for their sexual enjoyment, women often find their experiences more enjoyable when some aspects are left to the imagination.

That’s why we made Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world. If you’re interested in discovering the stimulation gained through auralism, the wide range of erotic content on Quinn is a great place to start.

To access thousands of audio stories and guided sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.