Happy memories of a cherished pet is a common experience for many people. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enrich our lives, and even, in some situations, become close companions. For people with hearing loss, pets can offer additional benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some cases, pets convey these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Particular tasks or specific kinds of help can be carried out by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that’s not the situation. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special 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?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This gap in communication can cause the individual with hearing loss to seclude themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? It sure is! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. And while clear communication is important with animals, it does not depend on verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can successfully bond with a wide variety of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional reinforcement during what might be a very lonesome time.
Clearly, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But when making human relationships is a challenge, it can offer some comfort and support. Additionally, pets can offer you more 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 opportunity to be around others.
Pets can be ideal assistants
In the instance of a service dog for hearing impaired people, these animals are specially trained to assist 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 guidance to their human.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
- 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 with hearing loss better engage in communication.
Service animals are specially trained to detect these sounds and communicate them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a dog with no training will often bark when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Similarly, cats or other animals can be extremely sensitive to unexpected noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets might be able to recognize these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even realizing it. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. For example, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. Many 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 select an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to properly care for.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals cannot replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the long-term 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 an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and start moving toward better hearing!