Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many people. Our lives can be enriched by many types of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many instances, they are our close companions. For people with hearing loss, pets can provide further benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some circumstances, pets convey these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Service animals for people with hearing loss can be trained to give specific kinds of assistance or even complete special tasks. But that’s not always the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. That’s why, in many cases, individuals with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique connection.
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 very isolating. Communication becomes troubled and, because of this, you might spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet helpful for people who have hearing loss? It sure is! 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. When somebody has hearing loss, it can be a very lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can provide emotional support and comfort.
Clearly, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But when making human connections is a challenge, it can provide some comfort and support. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. Bringing your dog to the dog park, for instance, 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 provide aid
In the instance 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. Mostly, that means these service animals are trained to pay attention to sounds that individuals who have hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for people with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Observing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Recognizing when someone speaks their human’s name or otherwise speaks 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 ringing doorbell.
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other dangers.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
Sensing these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are especially trained to do. But service animals are not the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. 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 people who are aware and dialed in with their pets may be able to recognize these things, too.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be noticed. They will immediately add a degree of structure to your day-to-day life. For example, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s one 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 pick an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to adequately take care of.
While a service animal can be a big help, they aren’t capable of providing the same degree of long-term 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 valuable part of their life.
Take the first step toward better hearing. Give us a call today!