Happy memories of a cherished pet is a common experience for many individuals. Our lives can be enriched by many kinds of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many instances, they are our 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 provide special benefits. Service animals for individuals with hearing loss can be trained to provide specific kinds of support or even perform special tasks. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the case. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. That’s why, in many instances, people with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This gap in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Definitely! There are lots of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals is possible without needing to hear verbal language. People with hearing loss can effectively bond with a wide variety of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional reinforcement during what may be a very lonesome time.
This does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can give some consolation and support when making other connections can be challenging. Additionally, pets can give you more chances to connect with other people. Even if you aren’t necessarily talking with others 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 be great assistants
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. People 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 assistance to their human.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Detecting hazardous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds including a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a screeching teapot.
- Service dogs can even be trained to distinguish their human’s name, and when that human is being spoken to. Individuals who have hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- 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 service animals aren’t the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog without any training will often start barking 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 might not even be noticed. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times each day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. Many different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But if you’re thinking about getting a pet or service animal, it’s essential to give it some thoughtful consideration. You will need to be able to properly care for the animal you choose and you will want one that will meet your needs.
While a service animal can be a big help, they aren’t capable of providing the same degree of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be great companions and can improve your overall quality of life. For individuals with a hearing loss, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and start moving toward better hearing!