Many people have strong recollections of a cherished family pet. 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 people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet friend.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to supply special benefits. Service animals for people with hearing loss can be trained to give specific kinds of assistance or even perform special tasks. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and friendship. That’s why, in many instances, individuals 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 hard 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 seclude themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? It sure is! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals is possible without the need to hear verbal language. Individuals 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 support during what might be a very lonely time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But it can offer some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be difficult. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect 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 instance 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. People with hearing loss will frequently fail to hear important sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other dangers.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. Individuals with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
- Alerting their human to daily sounds including a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a whistling teakettle.
Service animals are specially trained to notice these sounds and convey them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be useful to someone with hearing loss. Even a dog without any training will often start barking when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Likewise, cats or other animals can be very sensitive to sudden noises or changes, and those who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to pick up on these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be noticed. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your day-to-day life. For example, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. A structured life like this can be really comforting. It’s part of the reason why all types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s important to be thoughtful if you’re thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to take proper care of the animal you choose and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
It’s also important to note that service animals can’t 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 an important part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For individuals with a hearing loss, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
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