Many people have strong 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 individuals who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet friend.
In some circumstances, pets bring 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. Sometimes, though, that’s not the situation. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and friendship. That’s why, in many instances, people with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel really isolating. This gap in communication can cause the individual with hearing loss to seclude themselves.
So, is having a pet helpful for individuals with hearing loss? Definitely! There are lots 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 typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional reinforcement during what may be a very lonely time.
Clearly, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can offer some consolation and support when making other connections can be difficult. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. Bringing your dog to the dog park, for example, can give you a chance to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily initiate a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can give aid
In the instance of a service dog for hearing impaired individuals, these animals are specially trained to help their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. Primarily, that means these service animals are trained to pay attention to sounds that people with hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. This can help those who have hearing loss better engage in communication.
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other hazards.
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically trained to do. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a dog without any training will often bark when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also often react to sudden or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are tuned in to their pet.
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 day-to-day life. They must get fed, walked, and given love on a regular basis, for instance. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. Many different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But it’s worthwhile to be thoughtful if you’re thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You want to choose an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly care for.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t capable of providing 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. They can be a unique and important part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and start moving toward better hearing!