Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many people. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enrich our lives, and even, in some situations, become close companions. For people with hearing loss, pets can provide additional benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Particular tasks or specific kinds of help can be performed 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. That’s why, in many cases, people with hearing loss and their animal friends develop a special and unique bond.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. Communication becomes troubled and, as a result, you might spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? It sure is! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in lots of of non-verbal ways. And while clear communication is essential with animals, it does not rely on verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can effectively bond with a wide variety of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional support during what might be a very lonely time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But it can give some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be difficult. Additionally, pets can offer you more chances to make connections with other humans. 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 opportunity to be around others.
Pets can provide aid
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. Individuals with hearing loss will frequently 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.
Some of the things a service dog for those who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
- Recognizing when someone speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. People with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds including a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a whistling teapot.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
Sensing these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically trained to do. But service animals are not the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog without any training will often start barking when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Likewise, cats or other animals can be extremely sensitive to sudden noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to recognize these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life might not even be recognized. They will immediately add a degree of structure to your daily life. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. Many different types of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But it’s worthwhile to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to properly care for the animal you select and you will want one that will meet your needs.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals can’t replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. However, pets can be a major 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 start moving toward better hearing!
