Fond memories of a cherished pet is a common experience for many individuals. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enhance our lives, and even, in some situations, become close companions. Quality of life and symptom management for individuals who have hearing loss can also be improved by having a pet friend.
In some circumstances, pets bring these benefits because they have been specially trained to do so. Particular jobs or specific kinds 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. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized training. Special friendships between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are often formed as a result.
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 individual with hearing loss to seclude themselves.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? It sure is! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in lots of of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals is possible without the need to hear verbal language. When someone has hearing loss, it can be a very lonely time, and being able to connect with an animal friend can offer emotional support and comfort.
This doesn’t replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can give some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be difficult. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. Bringing your dog to the dog park, for example, 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 provide aid
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 pay attention to sounds that people who have hearing loss may otherwise miss.
Some of the things a service dog for those who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Detecting hazardous sounds like oncoming traffic.
- Alerting their human to daily sounds including a ringing phone, alarm clock, or a whistling teapot.
- Recognizing when somebody speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. People with hearing loss will have an easier time communicating with others as a result.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or someone knocking on the door.
Sensing 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 could benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can bark when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also often 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. Adding some structure to daily life is one of those benefits. They must get fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for instance. A structured life like this can be really comforting. Lots of different types of animal-assisted therapies exist because of this.
But if you’re contemplating getting a pet or service animal, it’s essential to give it some careful consideration. You want to select an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly take care of.
While a service animal can be a great help, they aren’t capable of providing the same degree of lasting benefits or the same capabilities as a hearing aid. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can enhance your overall quality of life. They can be a unique and valuable part of their life.
Call us today for an appointment and begin moving toward better hearing!