Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many people. 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 individuals who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to supply special benefits. Service animals for those with hearing loss can be trained to give specific types of support or even complete special tasks. But that’s not always the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and friendship. Special friendships between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are frequently formed as a result.
Is having 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 others.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Absolutely! 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. People with hearing loss can effectively bond with all kinds of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can give comfort and emotional reinforcement during what may be a very lonely time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can offer some solace and support when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you discover opportunities to connect with other people. Bringing your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you an opportunity to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily strike up a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can give aid
In the case 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. 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 people with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- 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.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other hazards.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
Sensing these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically trained to do. But other non-service animals can also be useful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also often react to sudden or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are in tune with their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even realizing it. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for example. This structure can be an important source of comfort. Many different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But it’s worthwhile to be thoughtful if you’re thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to properly care for the animal you pick and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t capable of providing the same level of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be an important part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For people with a hearing impairment, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Take the first step toward better hearing. Give us a call today!