Many individuals have powerful memories of a cherished family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some cases, become close companions. For people who have hearing loss, pets can offer additional benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some circumstances, pets bring these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Particular jobs or specific types of help can be carried out by these animals which are trained to provide help to individuals with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the situation. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized training. Special bonds between animals and people who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Is owning a pet good for mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This break in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to seclude themselves.
So, is having a pet helpful for people with hearing loss? It sure is! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without needing to hear verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can effectively bond with all kinds of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonesome time.
This does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can offer some consolation and support when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you discover 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 chance to be around others.
Pets can be great assistants
Service dogs, as an example, utilize specialized training to help their humans navigate the world more safely. People with hearing loss will often fail to hear essential sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.
Some of the things a service dog for people who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Observing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Recognizing when someone speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. People with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other dangers.
Service animals are specially trained to notice these sounds and convey them to their human. But service animals are not the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog without any training will often start barking when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Similarly, cats or other animals can be extremely 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, too.
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. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved several times every day. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. Lots of different types of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
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 select and you will want one that will meet your needs.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t capable of providing the same degree of long-term benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can enhance your overall quality of life. For people with a hearing impairment, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
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