Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many people. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some situations, become close companions. For people who have hearing loss, pets can provide added benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Service animals for individuals with hearing loss can be trained to give specific kinds of assistance or even complete special tasks. Sometimes, though, that’s not the situation. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. 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 difficult to hear and understand those around you. Communication becomes fraught and, as a result, you may spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is having a pet good for individuals who have hearing loss? It sure is! A dog, cat, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without needing to hear verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can successfully bond with all kinds of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can give comfort and emotional support during what might be a very lonesome time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But it can offer some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be difficult. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. Taking your dog to the dog park, for example, can give you a chance to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily initiate a conversation or make a new friend.
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. Primarily, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that individuals who have hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds including a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a screeching teapot.
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise speaks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. This can help people who have hearing loss better take part in communication.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
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 with no training will often bark when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also usually react to abrupt or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are in tune with 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 day-to-day life. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for example. This structure can be an important source of comfort. Many different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But it’s worthwhile to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to take proper care of the animal you pick and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
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 lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. Pets can, however, be great companions and can enhance your overall quality of life. For people with a hearing loss, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and start moving toward better hearing!