Many people have powerful recollections of a beloved family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some situations, become close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
In some circumstances, pets bring these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Service animals for people with hearing loss can be trained to give specific kinds of support or even perform particular jobs. Sometimes, though, that’s not the situation. Companionship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized training. Special friendships between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are often 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 people around you. Communication becomes fraught and, as a result, you might spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is having a pet good for individuals who have hearing loss? Definitely! A cat, dog, 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. When someone 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 does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can offer some consolation and support when making other connections can be challenging. Also, pets can offer you more opportunities to connect with other humans. 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 strike up a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can be ideal assistants
Service dogs, for example, use specialized training to help their humans get around the world more safely. Mostly, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that those who have hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks 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.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other dangers.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
Service animals are specifically trained to detect these sounds and communicate them to their human. But service animals are not the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also usually react to abrupt or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will recognize if they are tuned in to their pet.
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. They need to be fed, walked, and given love on a regular basis, for example. A structured life like this can be very comforting. It’s part of the reason why all kinds 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 select and you will want one that will meet your needs.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t able to provide the same degree of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can enhance 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 appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!