Many people have strong recollections of a beloved family pet. Our lives can be enriched by many kinds of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many instances, 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.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the case. Companionship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. That’s why, in many instances, individuals with hearing loss and their animal friends develop a special and unique bond.
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. Communication becomes troubled and, as a result, you may spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is having a pet helpful? Absolutely! 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 really lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can give emotional support and comfort.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But it can provide some consolation and support when making other connections can be difficult. Also, pets can offer you more opportunities to make connections with other humans. Even if you’re not necessarily talking with others or making new friends, doing things like taking your dog for a walk in the park can give you the opportunity to be around others.
Pets can be great helpers
In the case 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. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that those who have hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds including a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a whistling teapot.
- Service dogs can even be trained to distinguish their human’s name, and when that human is being spoken to. This can help people with hearing loss better take part in communication.
Service animals are specially trained to notice these sounds and convey them to their human. 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. Cats and other animals will also usually react to sudden or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are tuned in to their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be recognized. 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 kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But if you’re contemplating getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some thoughtful consideration. You want to pick an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly care for.
It’s also essential 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. However, pets can be a vital part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For individuals with a hearing impairment, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Take the first step toward better hearing. Give us a call today!