Many people have powerful recollections of a cherished family pet. Our lives can be enriched by many kinds of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many instances, they are our close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet friend.
In some circumstances, pets convey these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Particular jobs or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to individuals with hearing loss. But that isn’t always the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and companionship. Special bonds between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. Communication becomes fraught and, as a result, you might spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Absolutely! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without needing to hear verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can successfully bond with a wide variety of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonely time.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can give some solace and assistance when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you discover opportunities to connect with other people. Taking your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you a chance to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily strike up a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can be ideal assistants
In the case of a service dog for hearing impaired individuals, these animals are specially trained to assist their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that those who have hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. Individuals who have hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Detecting hazardous sounds like oncoming traffic.
Service animals are specially trained to notice these sounds and convey them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to someone with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also often react to abrupt or unknown sounds which their owner will recognize if they are in tune with their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even realizing it. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your everyday life. They need to be fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for instance. A structured life like this can be really comforting. It’s one reason why many types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But if you’re thinking about getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some careful consideration. You will need to be able to properly care for the animal you pick and you will want one that will meet your needs.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t able to provide the same level of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can improve your overall quality of life. For people with a hearing loss, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!
