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. 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 convey these benefits because they have been specifically trained to do so. Service animals for individuals with hearing loss can be trained to provide specific types of support or even perform particular jobs. Sometimes, though, that isn’t the case. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no specialized training. That’s why, in many cases, individuals with hearing loss and their animal companions develop a special and unique bond.
Is having a pet good for mental health?
Neglected hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, making it hard to hear and understand those around you. Communication becomes fraught and, because of this, you may spend less time socializing with others.
So, is having a pet worthwhile? Absolutely! There are lots of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. And while clear communication is essential with animals, it doesn’t depend on verbal language. When someone has hearing loss, it can be a really lonely time, and being able to bond with an animal friend can give emotional support and comfort.
This does not replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But when making human connections is a challenge, it can provide some comfort and support. Additionally, pets can offer you more opportunities to make connections with other humans. Even if you’re not necessarily talking with people 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 provide aid
In the instance of a service dog for hearing impaired individuals, these animals are specially trained to assist their human companions in moving around and functioning in the world. People with hearing loss will often fail to hear important sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to pay attention to those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.
Some of the things a service dog for people with hearing loss is trained to do include the following:
- Alerting their human to daily sounds like a phone ringing, alarm clock, or a screeching teakettle.
- Informing their human when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Recognizing when someone speaks their human’s name or otherwise speaks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. This can help those who have hearing loss better engage in communication.
- Detecting the sound of oncoming traffic or other hazards.
- Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are specifically trained to do. But service animals are not the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. Even a dog without any training will often start barking when somebody rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. Similarly, cats or other animals can be extremely sensitive to sudden noises or changes, and people who are aware and dialed in with their pets might be able to recognize these things, too.
A symbiotic relationship
Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even realizing it. They will instantly add a degree of structure to your everyday life. They need to be fed, walked, and given affection on a regular basis, for instance. 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 thinking about getting a pet or a service animal. You will need to be able to properly care for the animal you choose and you will want one that will meet your requirements.
It’s also essential to note that service animals can’t replace a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. However, pets can be an important part of your life and provide a trusty companion. They can be a unique and valuable part of their life.
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