Happy memories of a cherished 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 cases, become close companions. For people with hearing loss, pets can offer further benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some circumstances, pets convey these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Service animals for individuals with hearing loss can be trained to provide specific forms of support or even complete special jobs. But that isn’t always the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and friendship. That’s why, in many instances, people with hearing loss and their animal friends develop a special and unique connection.
Can owning a pet give you improved mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This break in communication can cause the individual with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is owning a pet good for people who have hearing loss? Absolutely! A dog, cat, 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. When somebody has hearing loss, it can be a very lonely time, and being able to connect with an animal friend can provide emotional support and comfort.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can offer some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be difficult. Also, pets can give you more opportunities to connect with other humans. Even if you’re not necessarily talking with people 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 give aid
In the case of a service dog for hearing impaired individuals, these animals are specially trained to assist their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. Individuals 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 assistance to their human.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for somebody with hearing loss:
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. Individuals who have hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds like a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a screeching teapot.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
Service animals are specially trained to detect these sounds and convey them to their human. But service animals aren’t the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog with no training will often start barking when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Similarly, cats or other animals can be quite sensitive to unexpected noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets might be able to recognize these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many 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 every day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s part of the reason why all types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But if you’re thinking about getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some careful consideration. You will need to be able to properly care for the animal you choose and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals cannot replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the long-term benefits and in terms of their capabilities. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can improve your overall quality of life. For individuals with a hearing loss, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
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