Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many people. 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. Quality of life and symptom management for individuals who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to supply 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’s not always the case. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. Special friendships between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are frequently formed as a result.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
Neglected hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it hard to hear and understand those around you. Communication becomes fraught and, as a result, you may spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is having a pet helpful? Definitely! A dog, cat, or other companionable animal can communicate in lots of of non-verbal ways. And while clear communication is essential with animals, it doesn’t depend on verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can effectively bond with all kinds of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonely time.
Clearly, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can provide some solace and assistance when making other connections can be challenging. Additionally, pets can offer you more opportunities to connect with other people. Taking your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you a chance to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily strike up a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can be ideal helpers
In the instance 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. Primarily, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that those who have hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for those who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds including a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a whistling teakettle.
- 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 a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are especially trained to do. But service animals aren’t the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also often react to sudden or unknown 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 realizing it. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for example. 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 pick an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to properly take care of.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals cannot replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. 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!
