Fond memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many individuals. Our lives can be enriched by many types of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many instances, they are our close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for individuals who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to individuals with hearing loss. But that’s not always the case. Even an everyday animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. Special friendships between animals and people who have hearing loss are frequently formed as a result.
Is having a pet good for mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel really isolating. This gap in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to seclude themselves.
So, is owning a pet helpful for people with hearing loss? 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 typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional support during what might be a very lonesome time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But when making human relationships is difficult, it can offer some comfort and support. Additionally, pets can offer you more chances to connect 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 opportunity to be around others.
Pets can be ideal helpers
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. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that individuals with hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- 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. People who have hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
- Alerting their human to daily sounds like a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a screeching teakettle.
- Detecting hazardous sounds like approaching traffic.
Service animals are specially trained to notice these sounds and communicate them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to someone with hearing loss. Even a dog without any training will often bark when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Similarly, cats or other animals can be quite sensitive to abrupt noises or changes, and people who are aware and dialed in with their pets may be able to recognize these things, too.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life might not even be recognized. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. A structured life like this can be very comforting. It’s part of the reason why all types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s essential to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to properly care for the animal you pick 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 a major 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 assessment and begin moving toward better hearing!
