Many people have strong memories of a beloved 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. For people who have hearing loss, pets can provide added benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to supply special benefits. Particular jobs or specific kinds of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that isn’t always the situation. 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.
Is having a pet good for mental health?
Untreated hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it hard to hear and understand those around you. This break 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 important with animals, it doesn’t depend 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 provide emotional support and comfort.
This does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can give some solace and assistance when making other connections can be difficult. Also, pets can give you more chances to make connections with other people. Bringing your dog to the dog park, for example, can give you an opportunity 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 assist their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that individuals with hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when that human is being spoken to. This can help people with hearing loss better take part in communication.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds like a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a whistling teapot.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
Sensing 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 somebody with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can bark when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also often react to abrupt or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will recognize if they are tuned in to their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even recognizing it. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. They need to be fed, walked, and given love on a regular basis, for example. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. It’s one reason why all types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But if you’re thinking about getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some careful consideration. You want to select an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to adequately take care of.
It’s also important to mention that service animals can’t replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. However, pets can be an important part of your life and provide a trusty companion. 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!