Fond memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many individuals. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enrich 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.
In some cases, pets bring these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to individuals with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that’s not the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and companionship. That’s why, in many cases, people with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel really isolating. Communication becomes troubled and, because of this, you might spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is owning a pet good for people with hearing loss? Definitely! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. And while clear communication is important with animals, it does not rely on verbal language. People with hearing loss can successfully bond with a wide variety of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonesome time.
Clearly, this doesn’t take the place of contact between humans. But it can give some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you find opportunities 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 opportunity to be around others.
Pets can be ideal assistants
Service dogs, as an example, make use of specialized training to help their humans navigate the world more safely. People 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 direction to their human.
Some of the things a service dog for people with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. Individuals who have hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Alerting their human to daily sounds like a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a screeching teakettle.
- Detecting hazardous sounds like approaching traffic.
Service animals are specially trained to detect these sounds and communicate them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Similarly, cats or other animals can be quite sensitive to sudden noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to pick up on these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even recognizing it. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your everyday life. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for example. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. It’s part of the reason why many types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s essential to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You want to choose an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly care for.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals cannot take the place of a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the long-term benefits and in terms of their capabilities. However, pets can be a major part of your life and provide a trusty companion. 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!