Many individuals have strong memories of a beloved family pet. 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 performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to individuals with hearing loss. But that’s not always the situation. Even an everyday animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. That’s why, in many instances, people with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
Is owning a pet good for mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel really isolating. This break in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is having a pet good for people who have hearing loss? Definitely! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. And while clear communication is important with animals, it does not depend on verbal language. When somebody has hearing loss, it can be a really lonely time, and being able to connect with an animal friend can give emotional support and comfort.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can offer some solace and assistance when making other connections can be difficult. 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 be great helpers
In the instance of a service dog for hearing impaired individuals, these animals are specially trained to help their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. People with hearing loss will frequently fail to hear important 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 somebody with hearing loss:
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other hazards.
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
- Recognizing when somebody 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.
Sensing these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are especially trained to do. But service animals are not the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can bark when the doorbell rings. Similarly, cats or other animals can be quite sensitive to abrupt noises or changes, and those who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to pick up on these things, too.
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 daily life. For example, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved several times each day. A structured life like this can be really comforting. It’s part of the reason why all types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But if you’re contemplating getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some careful consideration. You will need to be able to take proper care of the animal you choose and you will want one that will meet your needs.
It’s also important to note that service animals cannot take the place of a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. Pets can, however, be wonderful 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.
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