Many individuals have strong recollections of a cherished family pet. Our lives can be enriched by many types of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many cases, they are our 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 cases, pets bring these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be carried out by these animals which are trained to provide help to individuals with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that’s not the case. Companionship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized training. Special bonds between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult 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 worthwhile? Absolutely! 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 depend on verbal language. People 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 support during what might be a very lonesome time.
Clearly, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can give some solace and support when making other connections can be difficult. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. Taking your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you a chance to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily strike up a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can give 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. People 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 direction to their human.
Some of the things a service dog for those who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other hazards.
- 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 with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
Service animals are specifically trained to detect these sounds and communicate them to their human. But service animals aren’t the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also usually react to abrupt or unknown sounds which their owner will recognize if they are in tune with their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even realizing it. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. For example, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. A structured life like this can be really comforting. It’s part of the reason why many types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s worthwhile to be thoughtful if you’re thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You want to select an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to adequately care for.
It’s also important to note that service animals can’t replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. Pets can, however, be great companions and can improve your overall quality of life. For individuals with a hearing impairment, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!
