Fond memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many people. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some cases, become 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 bring these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Particular jobs or specific kinds of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that’s not the situation. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized 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?
Neglected hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it hard to hear and understand those around you. This gap in communication can cause the individual with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? It sure is! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. And while clear communication is essential with animals, it doesn’t rely on 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 reinforcement during what might be a very lonely time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But when making human connections is difficult, it can offer some comfort and support. Pets can also help you discover opportunities to connect with other people. Even if you’re not 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 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 might otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for people with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Recognizing when someone 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.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Detecting hazardous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
Service animals are specially trained to detect these sounds and convey them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to somebody 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 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 noticed. They will instantly 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 essential source of comfort. It’s part of the reason why all kinds of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s important to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You want to pick an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly take care of.
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. 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 appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!