Fond memories of a cherished pet is a common experience for many people. Our lives can be enriched by many kinds of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many cases, they are our close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
In some circumstances, pets convey these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Particular jobs or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that’s not always the situation. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. That’s why, in many cases, individuals with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
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 troubled and, as a result, you might spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is having a pet helpful? 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. People with hearing loss can successfully bond with all kinds of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional support during what might be a very lonely time.
Obviously, this doesn’t take the place of contact between humans. But it can offer some solace and assistance when making other connections can be challenging. Also, pets can give you more chances to make connections 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 be great 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. Primarily, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that people with hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
- Recognizing when someone speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. Individuals with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
Service animals are specifically trained to detect these sounds and convey them to their human. But service animals aren’t the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can bark when the doorbell rings. Likewise, cats or other animals can be quite sensitive to sudden noises or changes, and those who are aware and in tune with their pets might be able to pick up on these things, too.
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. For instance, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s part of the reason why all kinds of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s important to be thoughtful if you’re thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to take proper care of the animal you select and you will want one that will meet your needs.
While a service animal can be a big help, they aren’t capable of providing the same degree of long-term 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 impairment, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Take the first step toward better hearing. Give us a call today!