Understanding the Auditory Relating Style

Different people have different styles of relating to others. There are three identified styles of relating and auditory relating is one of these. The other two are visual and kinesthetic.

The auditory relating style refers to those people who respond to and are stimulated by what they hear.

Auditory persons learn more effectively by hearing rather than by seeing. Using audio, as well as reading aloud, is a great way to teach the auditory oriented person.

The auditory oriented person best responds to expressions of love in the form of words of affirmation and compliments. The best gifts for an auditory person are:

* Music
* Audio books
* Concerts
* Anything that involves the use of their hearing sense 

Auditory Relating in Relationships

The auditory person loves the sound of their voice! He can sit and chat for hours and he feels loved when this happens.

Auditory people are sensitive to another's tone of voice and can be easily offended when given criticism or correction. Therefore, using softer tones and beginning criticism or correction with positive affirmations is the best way to communicate with auditory people.

Auditory Relating and Conflict

An auditory person processes issues by talking things through; unless it's something big, then they usually prefer quiet time. In addition, the auditory person likes to have the last word and usually gets it. Plus, they tend to be good at debating and getting others to talk as well. 

Auditory persons are sensitive to the sounds of nature and often find peace when walking through the woods, by a crackling fire or strolling by a running river. Add these types of activities to a great conversation and you're speaking their love language.

The easiest way to identify an auditory oriented person is by listening to their expressions. They often use phrases like:

* "Hear me out." 
* "Listen to what I'm saying." 
* "I didn't hear that clearly." 
* "We need to talk."
* "I can tell by your tone..." 

Tips for Working with an Auditory Oriented Person

If your boss is an auditory oriented person, she'll expect you to communicate through meetings, instead of email or memos. She may even find email or memos to be offensive or less meaningful than a phone call or meeting.

In addition, if you need to address a problem or issue, you will want to begin the conversation with positive affirmations about what you like about a person or the project before you get into the issue. An auditory person will then be more open to receiving your ideas and won't be so quick to put up any walls.

Auditory oriented people tend to be more sensitive to breathing sounds, sighs and grunts, and often read into these noises as if something's wrong. If you're a heavy sigh-er, for instance, you may often be asked, "What's wrong?" every time you take a deep breath. Once you communicate to the sensitive person that nothing's wrong, eventually they'll get used to your breathing sounds. 

Communicating to an Auditory Type Person

Once you learn how to identify an auditory person, relating to them will be easier. Here are the main points to remember once you've determined you're dealing with a person who relates via sound: 

1. Be sensitive when speaking.
2. Use appropriate tones of voice.
3. Begin criticism or correction with positive affirmations.

In addition, they like to hear compliments and the words "I love you" repeatedly. These are things the auditory person never tires of. In fact, if you don't compliment them or say "I love you" often enough, the auditory person may begin to feel unloved. 

If you're in a marriage with an auditory type person and they are constantly saying, "You don't love me" or "You never say you love me," you're probably not speaking their love language. To help with communication and make them feel loved, speak adorning words more frequently. 

Communication is a lot easier when we know and understand our loved ones relating style, whether it is auditory, visual or kinesthetic. Now that you can identify an auditory oriented person, you will be able to express your love for them easier and relate to them using their love language.
