Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many individuals. 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. For people who have hearing loss, pets can offer further benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Service animals for those with hearing loss can be trained to give specific forms of assistance or even perform particular jobs. But that’s not always the case. Companionship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized training. That’s why, in many cases, people with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This break in communication can cause the individual with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is owning a pet good for individuals with hearing loss? Absolutely! 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 does not rely on verbal language. When someone has hearing loss, it can be a very lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can give emotional support and comfort.
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 challenging. Additionally, pets can give you more opportunities to connect with other people. Even if you aren’t necessarily talking with others 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 be great helpers
In the case of a service dog for hearing impaired people, these animals are specially trained to help their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. Individuals with hearing loss will often fail to hear important sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to pay attention to those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds like a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a screeching teapot.
- Recognizing when someone 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 with hearing loss better take part in communication.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other dangers.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
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 someone with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Similarly, cats or other animals can be very sensitive to sudden noises or changes, and those who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to pick up on these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be recognized. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your everyday life. For instance, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times each day. A structured life like this can be very comforting. It’s one reason why many kinds of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s important to be thoughtful if you’re thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to take proper care of the animal you pick and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t able to provide the same level of long-term benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be a vital part of your life and provide a trusty companion. They can be a unique and valuable part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and start moving toward better hearing!