Happy memories of a cherished pet is a common experience for many people. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some cases, become close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet friend.
In some cases, pets convey these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Particular tasks 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 provide comfort and companionship. That’s why, in many instances, people with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
Is owning a pet good for mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be hard to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This gap in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to seclude themselves.
So, is having a pet helpful? Absolutely! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. And while clear communication is important with animals, it does not rely on verbal language. When someone has hearing loss, it can be a really lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can provide emotional support and comfort.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But when making human relationships is a challenge, it can provide some comfort and support. Additionally, pets can give you more chances to make connections with other humans. Even if you aren’t 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 give aid
Service dogs, for example, utilize specialized training to assist their humans get around the world more safely. People with hearing loss will often fail to hear important sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to pay attention to those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.
Some of the things a service dog for those who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Letting their human know that the smoke detector is sounding.
- Service dogs can even be trained to distinguish their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. This can help people who have hearing loss better engage in communication.
- Detecting hazardous sounds like approaching traffic.
Sensing 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 helpful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also usually react to sudden or unknown sounds which their owner will recognize if they are in tune with their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life might not even be noticed. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. They need to be fed, walked, and given love on a regular basis, for instance. A structured life like this can be very comforting. Lots of different types of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But it’s essential to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You want to choose an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to adequately take care of.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t able to provide the same degree of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be an important part of your life and provide a trusty companion. They can be a unique and important part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!
