Many people have powerful memories of a beloved family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide variety of other animals can enrich our lives, and even, in some cases, become close companions. For people who have hearing loss, pets can provide further benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some cases, pets convey these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Service animals for those with hearing loss can be trained to provide specific kinds of assistance or even complete particular jobs. But that isn’t always the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and companionship. That’s why, in many cases, people with hearing loss and their animal friends develop a special and unique connection.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard 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 others.
So, is owning a pet good for individuals with hearing loss? It sure is! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in lots of of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without the need to hear verbal language. When someone has hearing loss, it can be a very lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can offer emotional support and comfort.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But when making human connections is difficult, it can offer some comfort and support. Also, pets can offer you more opportunities to make connections with other people. Taking your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you a chance 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, use specialized training to assist their humans navigate the world more safely. Individuals with hearing loss will frequently fail to hear important sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for those sounds and to provide direction to their human.
Some of the things a service dog for those with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Service dogs can even be trained to distinguish their human’s name, and when that human is being spoken to. Individuals with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
Service animals are specifically trained to detect these sounds and convey them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be useful to somebody 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 extremely sensitive to abrupt noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to recognize 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 immediately add a degree of structure to your everyday life. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for instance. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. It’s part of the reason why many kinds of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But if you’re thinking about getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some thoughtful consideration. You want to choose an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to adequately care for.
While a service animal can be a big help, they aren’t capable of providing the same level of long-term benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can improve your overall quality of life. They can be a unique and valuable part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and begin moving toward better hearing!