Many individuals have strong recollections of a beloved family pet. Our lives can be enriched by many types of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many instances, they are our close companions. For people who have hearing loss, pets can provide further benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to individuals with hearing loss. But that isn’t always the case. Even an everyday animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. Special bonds between animals and people who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. Communication becomes fraught and, because of this, you may spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet helpful? Definitely! There are lots of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. And while clear communication is essential with animals, it does not rely on verbal language. When someone has hearing loss, it can be a very lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can offer emotional support and comfort.
This does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But when making human connections is a challenge, it can provide some comfort and support. Additionally, pets can give you more chances to connect with other humans. Bringing your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you a chance to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily initiate a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can be ideal assistants
Service dogs, as an example, make use of specialized training to help their humans navigate the world more safely. Mostly, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that those who have hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to day-to-day sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other dangers.
- Recognizing when somebody 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 engage in communication.
Sensing these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are especially trained to do. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to somebody with hearing loss. 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 sudden 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 realizing it. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your day-to-day life. For instance, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved several times every day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s one reason why many types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But it’s worthwhile 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 select and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t capable of providing the same level of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be a vital part of your life and provide a trusty companion. They can be a unique and valuable part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!
