Fond memories of a cherished pet is a common experience for many individuals. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enrich 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.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Particular jobs 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’s not the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. 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?
Neglected hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it hard to hear and understand those around you. Communication becomes fraught and, as a result, you might spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? It sure is! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals is possible without the need to hear verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can successfully bond with all kinds of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional support during what might be a very lonesome time.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can provide some consolation and support when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you discover opportunities to connect with other people. Even if you aren’t necessarily talking with people 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 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 often 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:
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when that human is being spoken to. People with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
Sensing these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically trained to do. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to someone with hearing loss. Even a dog without any training will often start barking when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also often react to abrupt or unknown sounds which their owner will recognize if they are tuned in to their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life might not even be noticed. 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 important source of comfort. Many different types of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But if you’re thinking about getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some careful consideration. You want to pick an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly take care of.
While a service animal can be a big help, they aren’t capable of providing the same degree of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be a vital part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For people with a hearing loss, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and begin moving toward better hearing!
