Fond memories of a cherished 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 additional benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Service animals for those with hearing loss can be trained to provide specific types of assistance or even complete special jobs. Sometimes, though, that’s not the situation. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and friendship. Special bonds between animals and people who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
Untreated hearing loss can be exceptionally isolating, making it difficult to hear and understand people around you. Communication becomes troubled and, because of this, you might spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet helpful? Absolutely! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. And while clear communication is essential with animals, it doesn’t depend on verbal language. When someone has hearing loss, it can be a really lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can offer emotional support and comfort.
This does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But when making human connections is difficult, it can offer some comfort and support. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. Bringing 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 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. Mostly, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that individuals who have hearing loss might otherwise miss.
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 that human is being spoken to. This can help people who have hearing loss better engage in communication.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds including a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a whistling teakettle.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
Service animals are specially trained to detect these sounds and communicate them to their human. But service animals aren’t the only way one could 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. Cats and other animals will also often react to sudden or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will recognize if they are in tune with their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be noticed. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for instance. This structure can be an important source of comfort. Lots of different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But if you’re thinking about 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 adequately care for.
While a service animal can be a big help, they aren’t able to provide the same level of long-term benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be great companions and can improve your overall quality of life. For individuals with a hearing loss, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!