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 situations, become close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for people who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet friend.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Particular tasks or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that’s not always the case. Even an everyday animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and companionship. Special bonds between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are frequently formed as a result.
Is having a pet good for 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 owning a pet good for individuals with hearing loss? It sure is! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals is possible without the need to hear verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can successfully bond with all kinds of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can give comfort and emotional reinforcement during what may be a very lonely time.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can offer some consolation and support when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. 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
Service dogs, for example, utilize specialized training to help their humans navigate the world more safely. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to pay attention to sounds that individuals who have hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for those who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Noticing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
- Recognizing when someone 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 who have hearing loss better take part in communication.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
Service animals are specifically trained to notice these sounds and communicate them to their human. But service animals aren’t the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog without any training will often bark when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also often react to abrupt or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will recognize if they are tuned in to their pet.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life might not even be noticed. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your everyday life. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times each day. This structure can be an important source of comfort. Lots of different kinds 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 select an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to adequately care for.
While a service animal can be a big help, they aren’t able to provide the same degree of long-term benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. However, pets can be a vital part of your life and provide a trusty companion. They can be a unique and important part of their life.
Take the first step toward hearing better. Give us a call today!