Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many individuals. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide variety of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some situations, become close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Service animals for those with hearing loss can be trained to give specific forms of support or even perform particular jobs. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the situation. Even an everyday animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and friendship. That’s why, in many instances, individuals with hearing loss and their animal friends develop a special and unique bond.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This break in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is owning a pet helpful for individuals who have hearing loss? Definitely! A dog, cat, or other companionable animal can communicate in lots of of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without needing to hear verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can effectively bond with all kinds of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonesome time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can offer some solace and assistance when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. 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 chance to be around others.
Pets can give aid
In the instance of a service dog for hearing impaired individuals, these animals are specially trained to help 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 listen for those sounds and to provide assistance to their human.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. This can help those who have hearing loss better engage in communication.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other hazards.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
Detecting 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 helpful to somebody with hearing loss. 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 unexpected noises or changes, and those who are aware and in tune with their pets might be able to recognize these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life might not even be recognized. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. For instance, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved several times every day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s one reason why all kinds of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But if you’re contemplating getting a pet or service animal, it’s essential to give it some thoughtful consideration. You want to choose 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 able to provide the same level of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be an important part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For people with a hearing loss, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
Take the first step toward hearing better. Give us a call today!