Many individuals have powerful recollections of a beloved family pet. Our lives can be enriched by many kinds 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 provide special benefits. Particular jobs or specific types of help can be performed by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that isn’t always the situation. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. Special bonds between animals and people who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
Neglected hearing loss can be exceptionally isolating, making it difficult to hear and understand people 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 people 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 doesn’t depend on verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can effectively bond with a wide variety of pets (this is typically dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional support during what might be a very lonesome time.
Clearly, this doesn’t take the place of contact between humans. But when making human relationships is difficult, it can offer some comfort and support. 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 provide 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. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to pay attention to sounds that those with hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for people with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
- Recognizing when someone speaks their human’s name or otherwise speaks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. People who have hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm is sounding.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
Service animals are specially trained to notice these sounds and communicate them to their human. But other non-service animals can also be helpful to somebody with hearing loss. Even a dog without any training will often start barking when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Likewise, cats or other animals can be very sensitive to unexpected noises or changes, and people who are aware and in tune with their pets might be able to recognize these things, too.
A symbiotic relationship
Many of the benefits that a pet can bring to your life may not even be recognized. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for instance. This structure can be an important source of comfort. 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 select an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to adequately take care of.
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. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can improve your overall quality of life. For people with a hearing impairment, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
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