Fond memories of a beloved 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 cases, become close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for individuals who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet buddy.
In some cases, pets bring these benefits because they have been specifically 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 people with hearing loss. Sometimes, though, that’s not the case. Companionship 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 give you improved mental health?
Untreated hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it hard to hear and understand people around you. This break in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Definitely! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals is possible without needing to hear verbal language. People with hearing loss can successfully 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 might be a very lonesome time.
Clearly, this doesn’t replace contact between humans. But it can offer some solace and support when making other connections can be challenging. Additionally, pets can give you more opportunities to make connections with other humans. 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 opportunity to be around others.
Pets can provide aid
Service dogs, as an example, use specialized training to assist their humans navigate the world more safely. Primarily, that means these service animals are trained to be aware of sounds that people with hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for people with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other hazards.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise speaks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. This can help people who have hearing loss better engage in communication.
- 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.
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 non-trained dog can start barking when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also usually react to abrupt or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will recognize 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. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. For instance, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved several times every day. A structured life like this can be really comforting. It’s part of the reason why all types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
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 pick 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 level of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be great companions and can enhance your overall quality of life. For people with a hearing impairment, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
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