Happy memories of a cherished pet is a common experience for many individuals. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide variety of other animals can enrich our lives, and even, in some cases, 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. Service animals for people with hearing loss can be trained to give specific kinds of support or even complete particular tasks. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the case. Even a common animal companion with no special training can provide comfort and companionship. That’s why, in many cases, individuals with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
Is owning a pet good for mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel very isolating. This gap in communication can cause the person with hearing loss to isolate themselves.
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. People with hearing loss can successfully bond with a wide variety of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can offer comfort and emotional reinforcement during what may be a very lonely time.
This does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can give some solace and support when making other connections can be challenging. Also, pets can offer you more opportunities to connect with other humans. 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 initiate a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can be great helpers
Service dogs, for example, utilize specialized training to assist their humans navigate the world more safely. Generally, that means these service animals are trained to pay attention to sounds that those with hearing loss might otherwise miss.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Alerting their human to daily sounds including a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a whistling teapot.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell.
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. This can help people who have hearing loss better engage in communication.
- Detecting dangerous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
Service animals are specially trained to notice these sounds and convey them to their human. 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. Cats and other animals will also usually react to sudden or unknown 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 day-to-day life. They must get fed, walked, and given love on a regular basis, for example. This structure can be an important source of comfort. 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 select and you will want one that will meet your needs.
It’s also essential to note that service animals cannot replace 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 valuable part of their life.
Take the first step toward hearing better. Give us a call today!