Fond memories of a cherished pet is a common experience for many people. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and a wide array of other animals can enrich our lives, and even, in some cases, become close companions. For people who have hearing loss, pets can provide further benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.
In some circumstances, pets bring these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Service animals for people with hearing loss can be trained to give specific kinds of support or even perform particular jobs. Sometimes, though, that’s not the situation. Even a common animal companion with no special training can offer comfort and companionship. Special bonds between animals and individuals who have hearing loss are frequently formed as a result.
Is having a pet good for mental health?
With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and understand what people are saying, which can feel really isolating. Communication becomes fraught and, because of this, you might spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet helpful? It sure is! A cat, dog, or other companionable animal can communicate in a wide variety of non-verbal ways. Clear communication with animals can be achieved without the need to hear verbal language. When someone has hearing loss, it can be a really lonely time, and being able to connect 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 challenging. Pets can also help you find opportunities to connect with other people. Taking your dog to the dog park, for instance, can give you an opportunity to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily initiate a conversation or make a new friend.
Pets can provide aid
Service dogs, for example, make use of specialized training to help their humans get around the world more safely. Individuals with hearing loss will often fail to hear important sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for those sounds and to provide assistance to their human.
Here are some things that a service dog can do for someone with hearing loss:
- Service dogs can even be trained to recognize their human’s name, and when someone is talking to that human. This can help those who have 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 hazardous sounds like approaching traffic.
- Hearing the doorbell ring or a knock on the door.
- Notifying their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
Sensing 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 might benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog with no training will often bark when someone 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
Pets can add lots of benefits to your life without you even realizing it. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. They need to be fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for example. This structure can be an important source of comfort. It’s part of the reason why many types of animal-assisted therapy types exist.
But if you’re contemplating getting a pet or service animal, it’s essential to give it some thoughtful consideration. You will need to be able to take proper care of the animal you pick and you will want one that will meet your needs.
It’s also essential to mention that service animals cannot take the place of a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. However, pets can be a vital part of your life and provide a trusty companion. For individuals with a hearing loss, they can be a significant, and unique, part of their life.
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