Many individuals have powerful recollections of a beloved family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some situations, become close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
In some cases, pets bring these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Particular tasks or specific kinds of help can be carried out by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that isn’t always the case. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. Special friendships between animals and people who have hearing loss are frequently formed as a result.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
Untreated hearing loss can be exceptionally isolating, making it difficult to hear and understand those around you. Communication becomes troubled and, as a result, you may spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet helpful for people who have hearing loss? It sure is! A dog, cat, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. And while clear communication is essential with animals, it doesn’t rely on verbal language. When somebody has hearing loss, it can be a really lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can give emotional support and comfort.
Clearly, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But when making human connections is a challenge, it can offer some comfort and support. Also, pets can give you more opportunities to make connections with other people. Even if you’re not necessarily talking with people or making new friends, doing things like taking your dog for a walk in the park can give you the chance to be around others.
Pets can give aid
In the instance 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. People with hearing loss will often fail to hear essential sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Detecting hazardous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. This can help those with hearing loss better take part in communication.
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are especially trained to do. But other non-service animals can also be useful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can bark when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also usually react to sudden or unknown sounds which their owner will recognize if they are in tune with their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be noticed. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for example. A structured life like this can be really comforting. It’s one reason why all 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 thoughtful consideration. You want to choose an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to adequately care for.
While a service animal can be a big help, they aren’t able to provide the same level of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be an important part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For people with a hearing impairment, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and begin moving toward better hearing!