Many individuals have strong memories of a cherished family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide variety 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 bring these benefits because they have been specifically 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 people with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the situation. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. Special friendships between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are frequently formed as a result.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
Neglected hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it hard to hear and understand those around you. This break in communication can cause the individual with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is having a pet helpful for individuals who have hearing loss? It sure is! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in lots of of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without the need to hear verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can effectively bond with a wide variety of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional reinforcement during what might be a very lonely time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can give some solace and support when making other connections can be difficult. Additionally, pets can give you more chances to make connections with other humans. Even if you aren’t 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 be great helpers
In the case of a service dog for hearing impaired individuals, these animals are specially trained to help their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. People with hearing loss will frequently fail to hear essential sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for 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:
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Alerting their human to daily sounds like a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a whistling teakettle.
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other hazards.
- Service dogs can even be trained to distinguish their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. This can help those with hearing loss better engage in communication.
Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically trained to do. But other non-service animals can also be useful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also often react to abrupt or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are in tune with their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add lots of benefits to your life without you even recognizing 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 each day. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. 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 properly care for the animal you select and you will want one that will meet your needs.
It’s also essential to note that service animals can’t replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can enhance your overall quality of life. They can be a unique and important part of their life.
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