Happy 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 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 friend.
In some cases, pets bring these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be carried out by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and companionship. Special bonds between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are frequently formed as a result.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
Untreated hearing loss can be exceptionally isolating, making it hard to hear and understand those around you. This break in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is owning a pet good for individuals with 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 is possible without needing to hear verbal language. People with hearing loss can effectively bond with a wide variety of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonely time.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But when making human relationships is difficult, it can provide some comfort and support. Also, pets can give you more chances to connect with other people. Bringing your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you an opportunity to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily strike up a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can provide aid
Service dogs, for example, make use of specialized training to assist their humans navigate the world more safely. People with hearing loss will frequently fail to hear essential sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.
Some of the things a service dog for those with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Observing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- 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 engage in communication.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
Service animals are specially trained to notice these sounds and convey them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can bark when the doorbell rings. Similarly, cats or other animals can be very sensitive to abrupt noises or changes, and those who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to recognize these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add lots of benefits to your life without you even realizing it. They will immediately add a degree of structure to your everyday life. For example, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times each day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s one reason why all kinds of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
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.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals can’t 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 improve your overall quality of life. For individuals with a hearing impairment, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and begin moving toward better hearing!