Many individuals have strong recollections of a beloved 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 who have hearing loss, pets can offer additional benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some circumstances, pets convey these benefits because they have been specially 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. But that isn’t always the situation. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and companionship. Special friendships between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
Neglected hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it hard to hear and understand those around you. Communication becomes troubled and, as a result, you might spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet good for people with hearing loss? Absolutely! A dog, cat, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without needing to hear verbal language. Individuals 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 reinforcement during what might be a very lonesome time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But when making human connections is difficult, it can provide some comfort and support. Also, pets can offer you more chances to make connections 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 chance to be around others.
Pets can give aid
In the case of a service dog for hearing impaired individuals, these animals are specially trained to assist their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. Individuals 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.
Some of the things a service dog for those with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other hazards.
- Alerting their human to daily sounds like a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a screeching teakettle.
- Recognizing when someone 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.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically 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 start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also usually react to sudden or unknown sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are tuned in to their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be recognized. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your everyday life. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved several times every day. A structured life like this can be really comforting. It’s one reason why many kinds 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 want to select an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to adequately take care of.
While a service animal can be a big 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. They can be a unique and valuable part of their life.
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