Many individuals have strong memories of a cherished family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enrich our lives, and even, in some cases, become close companions. For people with hearing loss, pets can provide further benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Service animals for individuals with hearing loss can be trained to provide specific types of support or even complete special tasks. But that’s not always the case. Even an everyday animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and friendship. That’s why, in many instances, people with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique connection.
Is owning a pet good for mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. Communication becomes troubled and, because of this, you may spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is having a pet good for people who have hearing loss? It sure is! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without the need to hear verbal language. When somebody has hearing loss, it can be a very lonely time, and being able to connect with an animal friend can provide emotional support and comfort.
This does not replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But when making human connections is a challenge, it can offer some comfort and support. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. Even if you’re not 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
Service dogs, for example, make use of specialized training to assist their humans get around the world more safely. Individuals with hearing loss will often fail to hear essential sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to pay attention to those sounds and to provide direction to their human.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Recognizing when someone 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.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other dangers.
- 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.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
Service animals are specifically 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. Likewise, cats or other animals can be extremely sensitive to sudden noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets might be able to pick up on these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be noticed. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your daily life. For instance, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times each day. A structured life like this can be very comforting. Many different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But it’s important to be thoughtful if you’re thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You want to pick an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to properly care for.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t capable of providing the same degree of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be a vital part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For individuals with a hearing impairment, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!
