Many people have strong recollections of a cherished family pet. 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. For people with hearing loss, pets can provide added benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some circumstances, pets convey these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that’s not always the case. Even an everyday animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and friendship. That’s why, in many cases, people with hearing loss and their animal friends develop a special and unique connection.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
Neglected hearing loss can be exceptionally isolating, making it hard to hear and understand people around you. Communication becomes troubled 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? It sure is! There are lots of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without the need to hear verbal language. When somebody has hearing loss, it can be a really lonely time, and being able to connect with an animal friend can provide emotional support and comfort.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But it can give some consolation and support when making other connections can be difficult. Pets can also help you discover opportunities to connect with other people. Taking 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 give aid
Service dogs, for example, make use of specialized training to help their humans get around the world more safely. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that those who have hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Alerting their human to daily sounds like a ringing phone, 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 take part in communication.
Detecting 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 with no training will often start barking when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also usually react to abrupt or unknown sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are tuned in to their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even recognizing it. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. They need to be fed, walked, and given love on a regular basis, for example. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s part of the reason why many types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s important to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to take proper care of 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 able to provide the same level of long-term benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be great 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!
