Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many individuals. 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. For people with hearing loss, pets can provide additional benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Service animals for people with hearing loss can be trained to give specific types of support or even perform special tasks. Sometimes, though, that’s not the situation. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized training. Special bonds between animals and people who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
Untreated hearing loss can be exceptionally isolating, making it difficult to hear and understand those around you. This gap in communication can cause the individual with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? It sure is! There are lots 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 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.
Clearly, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can provide some solace and support when making other connections can be difficult. Additionally, pets can give you more chances to make connections with other people. Taking your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you a chance to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily strike up a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can be ideal 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. Primarily, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that those with hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for those who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds like a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a screeching teakettle.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- 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.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other hazards.
Sensing these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically trained to do. But service animals are not the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog without any training will often start barking when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Likewise, cats or other animals can be very sensitive to sudden noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to pick up on these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even recognizing it. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved several times each day. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. It’s one reason why all types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s important to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You want to pick an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly take care of.
It’s also important to mention that service animals can’t take the place of a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the long-term benefits and in terms of their capabilities. However, pets can be a major part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For people with a hearing impairment, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and begin moving toward better hearing!