Happy memories of a cherished 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 cases, become 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 supply special benefits. Particular jobs or specific kinds of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that isn’t always the situation. Companionship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. Special friendships between animals and people who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. Communication becomes fraught and, because of this, you might spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Definitely! 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. Individuals with hearing loss can effectively bond with all kinds of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can give comfort and emotional reinforcement during what may be a very lonely time.
This does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can provide some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you find 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 chance to be around others.
Pets can be great helpers
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 frequently fail to hear essential sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to pay attention to those sounds and to provide direction to their human.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. People with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
Sensing these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are especially trained to do. But service animals aren’t the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog with no training will often start barking when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also usually react to sudden or unfamiliar 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. They will immediately add a degree of structure to your everyday life. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for example. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s one reason why all types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But if you’re contemplating getting a pet or service animal, it’s important 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 adequately care for.
While a service animal can be a great 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 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.
Call us today for an appointment and start moving toward better hearing!