Many individuals have powerful memories of a beloved family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some situations, become close companions. For people with hearing loss, pets can provide added benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some cases, pets convey these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that’s not always the situation. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special 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?
Neglected hearing loss can be extremely isolating, making it hard to hear and understand people around you. This gap in communication can cause the individual with hearing loss to seclude themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Definitely! A dog, cat, or other companionable animal can communicate in lots of of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals is possible without the need 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 offer emotional support and comfort.
Obviously, this doesn’t take the place of contact between humans. But it can provide some consolation and support when making other connections can be difficult. Additionally, pets can give you more chances 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 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 those who have hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Detecting hazardous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise speaks 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.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
Service animals are specifically trained to notice these sounds and convey them to their human. But service animals aren’t the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog with no training will often bark when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Likewise, cats or other animals can be quite sensitive to abrupt noises or changes, and those who are aware and dialed in with their pets may be able to recognize these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add lots of benefits to your life without you even recognizing it. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your daily life. They must get fed, walked, and given love on a regular basis, for instance. This structure can be an important source of comfort. Many different types of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But it’s essential to be thoughtful if you’re thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You want to choose an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly care for.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals cannot take the place of a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. Pets can, however, be wonderful 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 assessment and start moving toward better hearing!