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. Quality of life and symptom management for people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Particular jobs 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 situation. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and friendship. That’s why, in many cases, people with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique connection.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This break in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to seclude themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Definitely! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in lots of of non-verbal ways. 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 give comfort and emotional reinforcement during what might be a very lonely time.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can offer some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be difficult. Also, pets can offer you more 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 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 frequently 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.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise speaks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. People who have hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other hazards.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
Service animals are specifically trained to notice these sounds and communicate them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be useful to someone with hearing loss. Even a dog with no training will often bark when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also usually react to sudden or unknown sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are in tune with their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even realizing it. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your daily life. They need to be fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for instance. A structured life like this can be really comforting. It’s part of the reason why all kinds of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s worthwhile to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to take proper care of the animal you select and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
It’s also essential to note that service animals can’t replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the long-term benefits and in terms of their capabilities. Pets can, however, be great companions and can enhance your overall quality of life. They can be a unique and important part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and begin moving toward better hearing!