Many people have powerful recollections of a beloved family pet. Our lives can be enriched by many types of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many cases, they are our 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 circumstances, pets convey these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Particular jobs or specific types of help can be carried out by these animals which are trained to provide help to individuals with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. That’s why, in many instances, people with hearing loss and their animal friends develop a special and unique bond.
Is having a pet good for mental health?
Untreated hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it difficult to hear and understand people around you. Communication becomes fraught and, as a result, you might spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Absolutely! A dog, cat, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without needing to hear verbal language. When somebody has hearing loss, it can be a very lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can give emotional support and comfort.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can give some solace and support when making other connections can be difficult. Pets can also help you find 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
Service dogs, as an example, use specialized training to assist their humans get around the world more safely. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that people who have hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
- Detecting the sound of approaching traffic or other dangers.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when that human is being spoken to. This can help people with hearing loss better take part in communication.
- Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are especially trained to do. But service animals are not the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can bark when the doorbell rings. Similarly, cats or other animals can be quite sensitive to unexpected noises or changes, and those who are aware and in tune with their pets may be able to pick up on these things, as well.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add lots of benefits to your life without you even recognizing it. They will immediately add a degree of structure to your daily life. For instance, they will have to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. A structured life like this can be really comforting. Many different types of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But if you’re thinking about getting a pet or service animal, it’s important to give it some thoughtful consideration. You want to select an animal that’s going to meet your requirements and that you will be able to adequately care for.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals cannot take the place of a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the long-term 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 important part of their life.
Call us today for an assessment and start moving toward better hearing!
