Many people have strong recollections of a beloved family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enrich our lives, and even, in some cases, 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 convey 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. But that isn’t always the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. Special bonds between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
Untreated hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it difficult to hear and understand those around you. Communication becomes fraught and, because of this, you may spend less time socializing with others.
So, is owning a pet helpful for individuals with hearing loss? It sure is! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. And while clear communication is essential with animals, it doesn’t depend on verbal language. When somebody has hearing loss, it can be a really lonely time, and being able to connect with an animal friend can give emotional support and comfort.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But it can provide some solace and support when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you discover opportunities to connect with other people. Taking your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you an opportunity to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily strike up a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can provide aid
Service dogs, as an example, use specialized training to assist their humans navigate the world more safely. Mostly, that means these service animals are trained to pay attention to sounds that individuals with hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when that human is being spoken to. This can help people with hearing loss better take part in communication.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other dangers.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Alerting their human to daily sounds like a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a screeching teapot.
Service animals are specifically trained to detect these sounds and communicate 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 bark when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also often react to abrupt or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will recognize if they are tuned in to their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add lots of benefits to your life without you even recognizing it. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. A structured life like this can be really comforting. Many different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But if you’re contemplating getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some thoughtful consideration. 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 lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. 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 appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!
