Fond memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many individuals. 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 individuals who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet friend.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to supply special benefits. Particular tasks or specific kinds 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. Companionship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized training. That’s why, in many cases, people with hearing loss and their animal friends 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 really isolating. Communication becomes fraught and, as a result, you might spend less time socializing with others.
So, is owning a pet helpful for individuals who have hearing loss? It sure is! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. And while clear communication is important with animals, it does not depend on verbal language. People with hearing loss can effectively bond with all kinds of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonely time.
This does not replace human-to-human social connection, of course. But it can provide some solace and support when making other connections can be difficult. Pets can also help you discover opportunities to connect with other people. Even if you’re not necessarily talking with others or making new friends, doing things like taking your dog for a walk in the park can give you the opportunity to be around others.
Pets can provide aid
Service dogs, for example, use specialized training to help their humans navigate the world more safely. Primarily, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that people with hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for those with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds like a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a whistling teapot.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. This can help those with 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 service animals are not the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Similarly, cats or other animals can be very sensitive to abrupt noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to pick up on these things, too.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life might not even be noticed. They will immediately add a degree of structure to your day-to-day life. They need to be fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for example. A structured life like this can be very comforting. Lots of different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But if you’re thinking about getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some thoughtful consideration. You want to select an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to adequately care for.
It’s also essential to mention 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 a major 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!