Many individuals have strong recollections of a cherished family pet. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide variety of other animals can enrich our lives, and even, in some cases, become close companions. For people with hearing loss, pets can provide added benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to supply special benefits. Service animals for people with hearing loss can be trained to provide specific forms of assistance or even complete particular jobs. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the situation. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. Special bonds between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
Can owning a pet provide improved mental health?
Neglected hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it difficult to hear and understand those around you. Communication becomes troubled and, because of this, you may spend less time socializing with other people.
So, is owning a pet good for individuals who have hearing loss? It sure is! 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. Individuals with hearing loss can effectively bond with a wide variety of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonesome time.
Obviously, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can provide some solace and support when making other connections can be challenging. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. 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 chance to be around others.
Pets can give aid
In the instance of a service dog for hearing impaired people, these animals are specially trained to help their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. Individuals with hearing loss will frequently fail to hear important sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.
Here are a few things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other hazards.
- Alerting their human to everyday sounds like a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a screeching teakettle.
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. This can help those with hearing loss better engage in communication.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically trained to do. But service animals aren’t the only way one might benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog with no training will often start barking when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Cats and other animals will also usually react to sudden or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will pick up on 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. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your daily life. For example, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times each day. A structured life like this can be very comforting. Lots of different kinds of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But it’s worthwhile to be thoughtful if you’re considering a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to take proper care of the animal you choose and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
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 a major part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For individuals with a hearing loss, they can be an invaluable, and unique, part of their life.
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